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COLLECTIONS
OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
COLLECTIONS
MASSACHUSEHS HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
VOL. VI. — FOURTH SERIES.
]Btiblifl)rB It tfit flTinigt oC tfic applcton Sunt.
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY.
Entered, acconiiDg Ut Act of CongreM, in the yfar 1863. b>
THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
In the Clerk** CMBce of the District Court of the Dliitrict of MafsarhnHctts.
BOSTON:
PRINTKn BT JOHN WILSON AND BON,
5, Watkr Htbf.kt.
117788
• • . •
• * •
■ h •
* • *• • • ••
. • • • • •. »■ *
CONTENTS.
Officers of the Society, elected April 10, 1862 .... vii
Resident Members viii
ITONORARY AND CORRESPONDING MEMBERS X
Editorial Preface xiii
. « • «
• <
•« •*
Letters of John Hu3ifrey 1
AViLL, Letters, &c., of Isaac Johnson 20
Letters of Emanuel Downing 33
Hl'gu Peter 91
Matthew Cradock 118
John Endecott 131
„ „ William Bradford 156
„ „ Edward Winslow 162
„ „ lioGER Williams 184
„ „ William Coddington 312
., ,, Edward Hopkins 325
,, Theophilus Eaton 344
„ ,, John Haynes 354
„ „ George Fenwick 364
„ „ William Pynchon 369
„ Thomas Hooker 387
„ ., Robert Ryece 391
Anonymous Letter 442
Letters of Henry Jacie 452
,, ,, Edward Howes 467
,, „ John Winthrop, Jr 514
., „ Peter Stuyvesant 533
,. ,, Sir George Downing 536
,, „ Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston 545
,, „ Sir William Spring 551
„ „ Brampton Gurdon 559
„ „ Abraham Shurt 570
Miscellaneous Letters, &c 574
Fac-Similes of Signatures and Seals 587
Index j^y
Commiitte of $nblication for t^e ^rtsrat 9oInme.
ROBERT C. WINTHROP.
CHARLES DEANE.
CHANDLER ROBBINS.
li
OFFICERS
or THE
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
Elected April 10, 1862.
^rtsibcni.
H0\. ROBERT C. WINTHROP, LL.D Boston.
Vict-^restbents.
JARED SPARKS, LL.D Cambridge.
COL THOMAS ASPINWALL, A.M Boston.
$tcoibtng Seattaqi.
REV. CHANDI.ER BOBBINS, D.D Boston.
Corce8|pmbmg Stcrttars.
JOSEPH WHiLARD, A.M Boston.
HON. RICHARD FROTHINGHAM, A.M Charlestown.
STibiBiian.
NATHANIEL B. SHURTLEFF, M.D Boston.
tfvbvati-yiuiftx,
SAMUEL A. GREEN, M.D Boston.
Stsnbing f/Ottiitixiitt,
REV. SAMUEL K. LOTHROP, D.D Boston.
REV. ROBERT C. WATERSTON. A.M Boston.
HON. EMORY WASHBURN, LL.D Cambridge.
THOMAS C. AMORY, Jun., A.M Boston.
WILLIAM G. BROOKS, Esq. Boston.
RESIDENT MEMBERS,
AT THE DATE OF TOE PUBUCATION OF THIS TOLUME, IN THE ORDER <
THEIR ELECTION.
Hon. Josiah Quincy, LL.D.
Hon. James Savage, LL.D.
Hon. Edward Everett, LL.D.
Kev. William Jenks, D.D.
Jared Sparks, LL.D.
Joseph E. Worcester, LL.D.
Joseph Willard, A.M.
Rev. Joseph B. Felt, LL.D.
Rev. Convers Francis, D.D.
George Ticknor, LL.D.
Hon. Robert G. Winthrop, LL.D.
Rev. Alvan Lamson, D.D.
Hon. Charles Francis Adams, A.M.
Rev. George E. Ellis, D.D.
Hon. John C. Gray, LL.D.
Rev. Nathl. L. Frothingham, D.D.
Hon. George S. Hillard, LL.D.
Hon. William Minot, A.M.
Hon. Peleg W. Chandler, A.M.
Rev. George W. Blagden, D.D.
Rev. Lucius R. Paige, D.D.
Hon. Solomon Lincoln, A.M.
Rev. Chandler Robbins, D.D.
Francis Bowen, A.M.
John Langdon Sibley, A.M.
Hon. Richard Frothingham, A.M.
Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, M.D.
Henry Wheatland, M.D.
Hon. David Sears, A.M.
Thomas H. Webb, M.D.
Charles Deane, A.M.
George Livermore, A.M.
Francis Parkman, A.B.
Ellis Ames, A.M.
Hon. John H. CliflTord, LL.D.
William Brigham, A.B.
Hon. Emory Washburn, LL.D.
Rev. Samuel K. Lothrop, D.D.
Rev. WiUiam Newell, D.D.
Hon. Lorenzo Sabine, A.M.
Col. Thomas A spin wall, A.M.
Rev. John S. Barry, A.M.
John A. Lowell, LL.D.
Lucius M. Sargent, A.M.
J. Lothrop Motley, LL.D.
George R. Russell, LL.D.
Hon. Charles H. Warren, A.M.
Rev. James Walker, D.D.
Rev. Edmund H. Sears, A.B.
Oliver Wendell Hohnes, M.D.
Henry W. Longfellow, LL.D.
Rev. Frederic H. Hedge, D.D.
Frederic Tudor, Esq.
Jacob Bigelow, M.D.
Hon. George T. Davis, A.B.
Hon. Stephen Salisbury, A.M.
Henry Austin Whitney, A.M.
Rev. William S. Bartlet, A.M.
RESIDENT MEMBERS.
IX
Josiah O. Holland, M.D.
Kev. Charles Brooks, A.M.
Hon. William Sturgis.
Leverett Saltonstall, A.M.
Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, A.M.
Samuel F. Haven, A.M.
George T. Curtis, A.B.
Hon. Richard H. Dana, jun., A.M.
Hon. Levi Lincoln, LL.D.
Joseph Palmer, M.D.
Hon. George Tyler Bigelow, LL.D.
Hon. Caleb Cushing, LL.D.
Henry W. Torrey, A.M.
Hon. Joel Parker, LL.D.
Williams Latham, A.B.
Hon. Charles Hudson, A.M.
Rev. Robert C. Waterston, A.M.
Hon. Theophilus Parsons, LL.D.
Thomas C. Amory, Jan., A.M.
George Sumner, Esq.
Hon. Benjamin F. Thomas, LL.D.
Samuel A. Green, M.D.
Hon. James M. Robbins.
Charles Eliot Norton, A.M.
Hon. John J. Babson.
Robert Bennett Forbes, Esq.
Rev. Edward E. Hale, A.M.
Rev. Andrew P. Peabody, D.D.
Hon. Theron Metcalf, LL.D.
William G. Brooks, Esq.
Horace Gray, jun., A.M.
Hon. Charles G. Loring, LL.D.
Charles Folsom, A.M.
Amos A. Lawrence, A.M.
Rev. Edwards A. Park, D.D.
Charles Spragae, A.M.
Rev. William A. Steanis, D.D.
The following named RestderU Members have died since the publication of
the last volume of Collections, Nov. 20, 1861 : —
■Hon. Luther V. Bell, M.D.
Hon. William Appleton.
Cornelius C. Felton, LL.D.
Rev. Charles Mason, D.D.
Hon. Nathan Hale, LL.D.
HONORARY AND CORRESPONDING
MEMBERS,
ELECTED UNDER THE ORIGINAL ACT OF INCORPORATION, 1794, IN THE ORDER OF
THEIR ELECTION.
Benjamin Silliman, LL.D.
Rev. Eliphalet Nott, D.D.
Hon. Gillian C. Verplanck, LL.D.
Don Manuel Moreno, M.D.
Rev. John Hutchinson.
Carl Christian Rafn, P.D.
Thomas C. Haliburton, D.C.L.
Hon. Lewis Cass, LL.D.
llieodore Dwight, A.M.
M. C^sar Moreau.
Erastus Smith, Esq.
Rev. Benjamin Tappan, D.D.
Joshua Francis Fisher, A.M.
T. A. Moerenhout, Esq.
Usher Parsons, M.D.
Hon. George Folsom, A.M.
Rev. Luther Halsey, D.D.
John Disney, Esq.
Rev. Francis Lister Hawks, D.D.
Rev. Leonard Bacon, D.D.
M. Henri Ternaux-Compans.
George Catlin, Esq.
John Winthrop, Esq.
Dom Joaquim Jos^ da Costa de
Macedo.
Israel K. Tefft, Esq.
Hon. David L. Swain, LL.D.
Hon. James M. Wayne, LL.D.
M. Hall McAllister, Esq.
Rt. Rev. William B. Stevens, D.D.
Henry Black, LL.D., C.B.
Rev. .Charles Burroughs, D.D.
George Atkinson Ward, Esq.
Richard Almack, F.S.A.
Sir Archibald Alison, Bart., D.C.L.
Lieut.-CoL James D. Graham.
Robert Lemon, F.S.A.
Thomas C. Grattan, Esq.
John Romeyne Brodhead, A.M.
Major E. B. Jarvis.
E. George Squier, Esq.
Miss Frances Manwaring Caulkins.
Thomas Donaldson, Esq.
Hon. George Bancroft, LL.D.
J. Hammond Trumbull, Esq.
Robert Bigsby, LL.D.
Rev. Joseph Romilly, A.M.
James Ricker, jun., Esq.
Henry Stevens, Esq.
Cyrus Eaton, A.M.
Hon. WiUiam Willis, A.M.
Frederick Griffin, Esq.
HONORARY AND CORRESPONDIN^i MEMBERS.
XI
John Carter Brown, A.M.
Hon. Elijah Hayward.
Rev. William S. Southgate.
Hon. Samuel G. Arnold, A.M.
Hon. Charles S. Daveis, LL.D.
John Gilmary Shea, Esq.
James Lenox, Esq.
Rt. Rev. the Bishop of Oxford, D.D.
Winthrop Sargent, A.M.
Earl Stanhope, D.C.L.
Hon. William C. Rives, LL.D.
Hon. Peter Force.
Hon. John R. Bartlett, A.M.
Samuel Eliot, A.M.
G. P. Faribault, Esq.
William Paver, Esq.
HONORARY AND CORRESPONDING
MEMBERS,
ELECTED SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE ACT OF 1«
Ihnorary.
Frangois Pierre Guillaume Guizot,
LL.D.
Lord Lyndhurst, D.C.L.
Count Jules de Menou.
Hon. John J. Crittenden, LL.D.
Hon. Edward Coles.
Baron Charles Dupin.
Hon. Robert Hallowell Gardiner,
A.M.
M. Francois A. A. Mignet
Count Adolphe de Circourt.
Hon. Horace Binney, LL.D.
Hon. James L. Petigru, LL.D.
The Very Rev. Henry Hart Milman,
D.D.
William C. Bryant, LL.D.
Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott,
LL.D.
Count Ag^nor de Gasparin.
Corrapondmg,
Rev. William B. Sprague, D.D.
Rev. Samuel Osgood, D.D.
William Durrant Cooper, F.S.A.
E. B. O'Callaghan, M.D.
Buckingham Smith, Esq.
Benjamin F. French, Esq.
Francis Licber, LL.D.
William H. Trescot, Esq.
Richard Hildreth, A.B.
Dr. J. G. Kohl.
Hon. Albert G. Greene.
Hoft. John P. Kennedy, LL.D.
Hon. George P. Marsh, LL.D.
Benjamin R. Winthrop, P2sq.
J. Carson Brevoort, Esq.
The Ven. Lord Arthur Hervey.
Horatio Gates Somerby, Esq.
George H. Moore, Esq.
Hon. William R. Staples, A.M.
Hon. Hugh Blair Grigsby, LL.D.
W. Noel Sainsbury, Esq.
S. Austin Allibone, LL.D.
William Winthrop, Esq.
Henry T. Parker, A.iM.
Rev. Leonard Woods, D.D.
Benson J. Lossing, Esq.
Lyman C. Draper, Esq.
Rt Rev. George Burgess, D.D.
George Washington Greene, A.M.
M. Edrae Francois Joraard, an Honorary Member, has died since the i>ublication of tb
last volume of CoUectious.
PREFACE.
At the stated meeting of the Massachusetts Historical
Society on the 14th of February, 1861, it was announced
that a large collection of letters and papers, some of them
dating back to the earliest period of our Colonial history,
had come into the possession of the President of the
Society ; and, at his request, a Committee was appointed
to prepare for publication such of them as they might
select for that purpose. Of that appointment, the present
volume is the first-fruits. It may be followed hereafter by
further selections from the same papers.
The table of contents will sufl&ciently indicate the cha-
racter of the volume, and the plan of its arrangement ;
while the editorial notes will serve to call attention to some
points of peculiar interest.
It is believed that but few volumes of our Collections,
since the first publication of the Society in 1792, have
contained more valuable illustrations of the early history
of New England, and of the character of those by whom
its various colonies were founded.
XIV PREFACE.
The facsimiles of signatures and seals from the let-
ters here printed will prove an interesting addition to the
volume ; and the arms employed by the respective writers
may be of service in elucidating some doubtful points of
family history.
The Committee desire to acknowledge the valuable aid
which they have received from the Assistant Librarian,
Dr. Appleton , in preparing the volume for the press.
14th Febuuaut, 1863.
THE WINTHROP PAPERS.
THE WINTHROP PAPERS.
JOHN HUMFREV TO ISAAC JOHNSON. 1880.
To (he worship/uU my deardy respected & much honoured brother
Isdoc Johnson Eaqr. at Charlestowne in New England.
Dearest brother, — That which is yet new to mee
& wherein I must follow your greife a far of, I desire
may now grow old & out of date with you ; there bee
dayes of mourning which it is as meete to set a period
unto, as it is seemely & needeful at first to take up.
Therefore that I may not renovate dolores no more of
that. Your late letter by the Gift I received, blessing
God for your health & prospering in the midst of all
your losses. But good brother beare up, you have as
much cause of comfort that so sincerely have devoted
your selfe to the service of the Lord in his worke as anie
that I know, & for your losses though manie thousand
tallents more were gone the Lord were able, & if it
bee good will repay. But, ahlasse, I pitie not you in
* John Hamfrey was cho»eD Deputy Governor of the Massachusetts Company in
October, 1629; bnt did not come over to New England till 1634. His wife was the Lady
Susan, daughter of the Earl of Lincoln, and sister of the Lady Arbella Johnson. This
letter begins with a reference to the death of the Lady Arbella; but her husband, to whom
it was addressed, had died also before it was written, as appears by the following notice
in Gov. Winthrop*s History of New England : " September 30, 1630. — About two in the
morning, Mr. Isaac Johnson died; his wife, the Lady Arbella, of the house of Lincoln,
being dead about one month before. He was a holy man and wise, and died in sweet
peace, leaving some part of his substance to the Colony." — Savage^s Winthrop, new edition,
vol. i. p. 40. — Eda.
1
2 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1630.
this, that have got not onely the upper but the neather
springes, & though not supplanted yet got a larger
portion of both then manie of your elder brethren, I
meane such as were in Christ before vou. Blessed bee
his name that hath given you a communicating hart for
the faithful dispensing your several tallents to his best
advantage. Truth is, sweete brother, but that you are
worthy of all, &, by that little grace I have, I cannot but
reioyce in God's greater gifts to others, I should envie
you were it not for sinning against God. Even these
outward thinges are excellent instruments of doing good
withall, how much more transcendent is the mercie when
their is a hart to use them. Well brother you everie way
abound in all riches, & blessed bee God that sets you in
the way of yet greater increase, the liberal soule shall be
made fat & hec that watereth shall bee watered againe.
Never could there bee a fairer opportunitie for a full estate
to get a full reward then by scattering & casting bread
upon such waters. Now the Lord both goe on with
inlarging your hart & hand, & minister seede to the sower
& a yet more glorious crowne to your fruiteful soule.
Now touching the particulars of your letters breifely.
The burthens which I feared after I had some intimation
of the slender provisions manie good people made, I
laboured what I could to bee helpeful in easing you of.
I was on a faire way for a common stocke ; got neare
500/ underwritten, had promise of manie & more proba-
bilities of advancing this stocke. The first rise and
advantage I tooke was by that which providence offered
in that rumour of the French. Men were somewhat in-
clinable & workeable to the apprehension of your daunger,
& yielding some supplies for succouring your persons
against an enimie & securing your estates. But assoone
as this dampe of ill report of the state of thinges came
from your owne handes, straimge it was to see how
little brotherly love wrought in brethren. The designe
1630.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 3
was given of as lost, & to make it worse, few shewed
anie affection to save those which were likely to perish.
Former promises are fled from, that which was under-
written lies unperformed by some & is flatly denied by
others. Those wee most depended on, & might have done
much, have rather blamed then pitied their poore brethren,
laying more loadc where the burthen should beene eased.
Others gave somewhat, but rather according to their
hopes of the busines, then the necessities thereof. So
that I see it is in plantations as in warre, men may hope
for supplyes from freindes, but without preiudice both of
their wisedome & undertakings may not depend upon
them. When wee least neede freindes possiblie wee may
have them to befreind us, or rather themselves (in hope
of some recompence) but brotherly love & conscience of
dutie have lost much of their vigour that long since
were decaying. Wherefore if wee will neyther blemish
the gospel, nor bring upon ourselves that contempt &
reproach of the foolish builder, wee must sell our states
& beare our owne burthens.
For Mr. Wiggin & your thoughts concerning him, &
those who set him on worke, I thinke you will heare
little more. Yet your letter shall bee delivered if it bee
meete, and accordingly wee shall doe. I purpose this
morning to goe to Mr. Downing to advise about it.
Hee is the onely man for Councel that is hartily ours in
the towne, & yet unlesse you settle upon a good river &
in a lesse snowie & cold place I see no great edge on him
to come unto us. Wee are all much bound to my lord
Say for his cordial advice & true affections. As also to
my lord of Warwicke. Sir Natha. Rich deserves much
acknowledgment of his wise handling. Sir Ferd. Gorge
who from verie high matters is come to this, to desire
that his people & planters (by vertue of his sons pattent)
may live quietly & uniniured by us ; that Jefferie is a
bad man, hee basely flings out in his letters to him.
4 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1(530.
which Sir Ferd. shewed mee : handle him wisely & by no
meanes exasperate such spirits. Though Sir Ferd. ney-
ther will nor can doe us much good, yet hee or anie may
have eare to doe us hurt. I assured him of your care
to right his people in anie iniurie they had or should
sustaine, & there was an end for that time. Other
passages there were, they are too long to write, when
Mr. Allerton comes to you hee will satisfie you of some,
whome I acquainted with what past in general.
My lord of Warw: will take a Pattent of that place
you writ of for himselfe, & so wee may bee bold to doe
there as if it were our owne. Write letters abundantly to
him & others, though they deserve them not as hee doth.
Much neglect is apprehended by manie of themselves.
Dr. Wright & Mr. Davenport must not bee forgotten.
Send over what the nature of your diseases are, & the
several circumstances & accidents & symptomes of them.
Dr. Wright I thinke will bee as readie as hee said to
studie & direct fit remedies. I have much more to write,
but I would willingly hasten these letters now away, &
therefore with my best & most affectionate remembrance
of you Mr. Governor, Mr. Nowel, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Cod-
dington &c. &c. &c. I rest
Your trulie & ever loving brother
Jo: HUMFREY.
LoND: Dec: 9th. 1630.
I pray you take a noate of my hand up from Sir
Richard, or else a noate of his hand for 100/ I borrowed
of him & satisfied againe before he went. — My lord
Say told mee hee had writ a letter to you, but I cannot
learne where hee hath left it
I have sent you those new bookes that arc lately come
out. Dr. Ames' Cases to Mr. Governor which I purpose
to send you by the next, & now Dr. Sibs' Bruised Reede
& Mr. Dike of Scandals to you.
1630.] THE WINTHROP P.IPERS.
JOHN HUMFREY TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the rigid worship/idl his mucli honoured freind Mr. John
Winthrop Governor of the plantation of the Massackusets bay in
New England.
Much honoured, — I writ unto you not long since by
Mr. Peirce, since which time there is little of anie moment
that offers it selfe more then I have (to my present best
remembrance) intimated in some of your letters eyther
then or now, & though for prevention of anie miscarriage
it were meete of all businesses to send several letters
of the same thinges, yet I know neyther yours, no more
then my present leasure (yet much lesse) will aflford
much spare time for unnecessaries, whereas (but that hee
hath a feeding fountaine of everlasting strength that un-
derprops you) I should feare (& manie times doe) that'
you will neede time & strength for ordinarie occasions.
Therefore I would not overloade you with manie more
needeles lines, who are (the Lord keepe you from sin in
that your too great zeale of dutie) too to readie to overloade
your selfe everie way. Sir I beseech you give mee &
manie others occasion to bee thankeful unto you for your
more indulgent care of your selfe, as I (above manie) have
alreadie an obligation of further love & service laide upon
mee for your tender care of my dearest brother. Consider
I pray you how inexpiable a failing it were, both in respect
of the Lord whose worke you are in, the worke itselfe, the
manie lives yea soules that depend upon your well being,
not to speake of your deare wife, hopeful & some alreadie
hope-answering children, your freindes (who expect that
wisedome to bee shewed in your discreete carriage of
your selfe in this busines, that to good purpose they have
observed in you in other undertakings,) & much lesse to
speake of my owne & those that are alike interested in
you, who yet of faithful & sendee-owing freindes should
6 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1630.
become most severe & iustly provoked censurers, if you
should bee prodigal of your precious health, & so slight
all these ingagements with manie more. I seriously
professe & that in truth that all the sinnes you ever
committed or possiblie can commit (under that unpardon-
able one) I am perswaded would bee of lesse weight to
your conscience then this one. Take heede therefore I
beseech you under what specious pretence soever the divel
as an Angel of light insinuate himselfe, sugesting the
necessitie or great advantage of an exemplarie & selfe de-
nying & selfe neglecting carriage in you, for the animating
& confirming the weake harts & hands of others to doe &
suffer, following your tracke that else would not find the
way ; I say take heede least hereby your bodie (not ac-
customed to hardnes of unusual kindes & not necessitated,
unles by a voluntarie & contracted necessitie) should sinke
Tinder his burthen & fall to mine for want of a more
conscionable tenaunt. What the Lord layes upon you, hee
is able & faithful to enable you unto, & hee that knowes
your strength I dare warrant you will exercise it to the
utmost, but bee not barbaurously cruel unto your selfe, by
thinking eyther to supererrogate or superinduce upon
your selfe more then you have strength to beare, & then
the Lord in his wisdome & mercie imposeth upon you.
Some need the spurre, but you the reine, your exesse may
bee of more daungerous consequence then their defect &
indeede the greater sin, being this would bee greatest
against the publicke, theirs cheifely against their owne
private, & but with a reflexive or secondarie respect
against the common good. But that it is a case of im-
portance & that wherein your wisedome & pietie as well
as your bodie & estate suffer with us all I should not so
soone have forgot my selfe to remember you.
I have sent vou Dr. Ames' Cases of Conscience, newlie
come foorth, wherein you will find manie thinges of
especial use & singularly helpeful for present direction
1630.] THE WINTUROP PAPERS. 7
*
& satisfaction, untill what may not bee answered to the full
here, shall both from him & others (best studied in those
thinges wherein doubts are like to arise) ere long bee sent
unto you, if I faile not in my hopes & endeavours that way.
It will much concerne us to seeke (without which wee
cannot keepe) the truth in love, whose iudgments &
practice may (without good guidance of us in laying the
foundation) bee pernicious not onely to ourselves, but to
our posterities, & all ages (in those parts at least) after us.
And therefore as wee find, & you foresaw, there will neede
great wisdome, much advice, earnest prayer, & a total
subiugation of our owne iudgment, wills & aflfections, unto
the clearer light of truth shining unto us in those helpes
which the Lord shall be pleased to affoord unto us. For pw. u, ».
certainely, as they who are immaturely precipitate in their
councels or actions, are thereby but advancers of follie,
& they who looke not to their feete in such weightie
considerations, & are not readie to seeke & heare advice
must needes offer the sacrifice of fooles not considering soei. i. 2.
that they doe evil, & if it bee daungerous to utter a thing
rashly before God with ones mouth, how much more
to conclude determinately of thinges not well examined,
which is as it were to answer a matter before it bee heard,
which is both follie & shame. Prov. 18. 13. So the Lord
will not beare with anie cursed negligence in our not
seeking, digging, & crying after wisedome, to bee directed
in so important a worke as is the recoverie of anie allmost-
lost truthes : Neyther will it answer the maiestie of those
truthes of God nor our owne humble esteeme of ourselves,
& our right iudgment of our owne weakenesses, to thinke
with the first glaunce of our eyes to discerne clearely, what
the most iudicious & holy men have beene dazeled in &
differed about Rather let us heare what the Lord saith by
them, & so far as they weigh everie pinne of the tabernacle
in the scales of the Sanctuarie, follow & obey them ; where
anie, yea though an Angel from heaven, shall obtrude
8 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [Ifi30.
anie thing upon us without warrant from the word, avoide
them, ]^ea let them bee in that Anathematized.
For the place of fixing yourselves, it is sollicitously
agitated by manie good & noble freindes where it were
best & safest ; to the South they conclude, as it is warmer,
& (report gives out) the snow even at Narraganset lies
lesse while, so doe they conceave it will bee everie way bet-
ter, especiallie if wee could come in upon Hudson's river,
(which as Mr. Allerton affirmes meetes with Canada) with
cleare warrant in respect of the planters & natives there,
to remove our choice people thither & to leave the mixt
multitude (that will ever bee as thomes & prickes unto us)
behind us, as tenaunts in our houses & of our lands.
Now though the bodie of our best people neede not
presently move, yet after discoverie & resolution some
workemen might bee sent before to provide in some sort
for those good people who shall the yeare following, hence
& from you, transplant themselves. For this end I hope
wee shall send you a barke for discoverie with some come
in her, & if this bee resented & prosecuted by you, & some
new & better satisfaction bee given to the good people here
that wee goe not away for Separation, the apprehension
whereof (against the best assurance & protestation I can
make) takes deepe impression in them, I hope wee shall
againe redintegrate both ourselves & the undertaking in
the former good opinion which hath beene conceaved
of us & it. The opinion of this place you are in, partly in
those & in respect of the sharpenes of the cold & continu-
ance of the snow, partly in respect of the several titles &
pretencions of several men, togeather with the implantation
of manie lewde persons among us, who will ever bee
espying out our Libertie, & bee as Tobiah, Sanballat &
the rest both to hinder the building & to further & pro-
move all uniust accusations, eyther finding or making
matter of complaint alwayes against us, these considera-
tions much dampe & dull the edge of some of good estates
1630.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 9
who were looking towards us. These thinges I leave to
your wise & serious consideration, being sorrie, th^t once
in,. I can scarce get out, & so having overpast my word &
my time for the present, with my due respect & service,
my poore prayers & best endeavours for you & the worke
though to little purpose,
Your trulie loving & honouring
London, Dec 12th, 1630. Jo: HuMFREY.
Sir, I pray you take course that the 150/ which Mr.
White had of mee to lay out for come may by some
meanes bee made good unto mee here by Mr. Peirces
retoume, that that & the rest of the monie due imto
mee from the Arbella Companie since the last yeare,
may helpe mee over unto you with Mr. Peirce againe.
All the monie that I can make otherwise is now alreadie
eyther out, or to bee imployed in this barke with your
Sonne for securing of you with certaine supplies (if God
blesse them several wayes) least some should faile.
JOHN HUMFREY TO ISAAC JOHNSON.
DeARE & MUCH ESTEEMED FREIND & BROTHER, 1 SCUt
the last weeke by the Carriour letters & 3 or 4 bookes
bound up togeather to bee delivered by you to the Master
of your ship now going ; I pray you with those let these
bee delivered. I expect to heare from you daily about
certificate from Bristol of the provisions thence shipped or
exported, that according to former advice wee may worke
as there is occasion & the Lord (by such meanes as he shall
vouchsafe) shall see good. The same Lord in goodnes goe
along with you, prosper, accept, and reward the labour of
your effectual love. You much oblige all both there
& here that wish well to the persons or worke in hand,
2
10 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1630.
especiallie him that with his best affections & service of
love sljall ever desire to approve himselfe
Your trustie loving
Jo: HUMFREY.
Dec. 17th 1630.
If there bee anie thing forgotten by our freindes or my-
selfe that you remember, & know to bee useful & necessarie
unto them, I pray you adde that to your present provisions
as far as 20, 30, or 40/ may goe, but this I would neyther
trouble you withall, nor yet further burthen my selfe by,
except in case & thinges of deepe necessitie. I pray you
remember to bring up an exact particular of the several
thinges bought with that 220/, that it may bee my dis-
charge to the Treasurer & his & mine to the companie to-
geather. My servaunt Richard Wright living at Sagus
writes to me for 5/ in monie, if you think it better or fitter
then provisions for commutation to get what they neede
by, I pray you you send it to him & charge mee with it
here upon sight.
JOHN HUMFREY TO JOHN WINTHROP.
lb the right worahipfuU his much honoured freindes Mr, John
Winthrop governour of the Coinpanie of the Massachusets & to
Mr. Isaac Johnson or eyther of them.
Much honoured, — Since I last writ unto you I received
these inclosed answers* from a reverend freind, whose
name because hee desires it may be concealed as yet, I will
not tell you, onely you may know, it is one whose person
you much desire, & whose iudgment you & all men much
esteeme. I confesse plainely in divers thinges I was per-
swaded otherwise then. I see now some cause to stumble
mee in regard of his sound pietie & deepe iudgment
* Nothing was found enclosed in this letter, as it comes down to ns. — Eds.
1G30.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 11
& long acquaintance both with the person[8,] places &
studies which might enable him to a cleare discerning
of the will of God in these thinges. Now the good God
that hath promised to teach those that feare him in the
way that they shall chuse, to guide the meeke in iudgment
& to teach them his way, give you a discerning of those
things that differ, & help you by his wisedome to behave
yourselves wisely in a perfect way. 101 ps. And as the
nature of the worke in hand & the curious inspection of
the malevolent Spirits require to proceede warilie & with
good examination & digestion of the best advices, which
yet I will further endeavour to procure from other godly
men for your helpe herein.
Such newes as is stirring I doubt not but other letters
will acquaint you withall, as the proclamation of the
peace with Spaine : what the conditions are in particular
touching the Palatinate I yet h[ear] not : in general it is
said the King of Spaine is to restore all the townes hee
hath iu the Palatinate : but Mr. Peters in my last nights
letters received informes mee that the Emperour deales
vilie with the King of Bohemia. Dr. Laiton hath after
an escape beene taken & received halfe of his censure,
viz, 12 lashes with a 3 corded whip, one care cut of,
one nostril slit & stygmatized in the face. Divers godly
lecturers & ministers dayly are put by. Mr. Weld of
Essex is now upon the stage & expects his doome. I think
hee will bee easilie for us. Dr. Ames holds his first af-
fections to you & the worke, notwithstanding the late
neglect of him, in not giving a word eyther to him or of
him. I wrote to him excusing all as well as I could, &
the good man takes nothing amisse for ought I understand.
Your sister Downing after a daungerous & long sickenes
begins (blessed be God) to gather strength. Hasten your
call to Mr. Haines, it were not amisse there were some
blanke call for such as providence shall offer, & shall
sticke at that knot. Mr. Downing, my selfe, & some others
12 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1630.
have given Mr. Hooker a call lately. Ere long wee shall
see the effect of it I hope with these you will receave
my letters & bookes sent the last weeke to Barnstable for
this ship of Mr. Allerton's to carrie to you, that also
bringes the greatest part of your provisions. The Lord
ever keepe you & make his name glorious in & by you,
in whome I am
Yours what I am
Jo: H.
Lond: Dec. 18th, 1630.
I pray you as there is occasion doe for me in mine, as I
shall bee & am readie to my best abilities to doe for you
& yours. The providence in bringing so speedie an
answer, as if windes & all meanes were commanded to ex-
pedite an answer to the questions, is observable. It is not
6 weekes since the questions were sent away, & over Sea
& much passage of land they are retourned answered in
as little time as one would have thought they could but
have reached his handes to whome they were sent. Hee
who hath thus ordered it knowes the use of it.
JOHN HUMFREY TO ISAAC JOHNSON.
To the worship/uU his much honoured brother Isaac Johnson Esq,
at Charlesiowne in New England.
Dearest brother, — I cannot but take everie occasion .
of writing so that you will have manie letters by the same
ship from mee, in so much as (I feare) my letters may bee
burthensome unto you. But I had rather exceede in all
expressions of loving remembrance of you, than fall short,
& rather chuse to venture to bee blamed for the excesse,
then to have you & my owne hart chide mee for the least
defect I writ unto you in several letters by Mr. Peirce
of my poore desires & endeavours for your supplies several
wayes. That of Virginia is like to hold, & I hope you will
1630.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 13
have a good quantitie of Indian come thence before May,
the ship is to goe directly to Virginia about the midst of
Januarie : & whereas I hoped to have had the same ship
to have gone by Ireland & taken in 4 or 500 quarters
of Irish come, & so to have delivered that outward bound
unto you, & after to have proceeded in the Virginia
designe ; I was not able, by all the meanes I could use,
to get so manie to venture, as would make up this vessel
a fraite of 60 or 70 tun. Mr. Craddocke indeede would
have stucke by mee, & (I thinke) sent & lent 20 tun to
the plantation, besides him not a man (no, not to save your
Uves & the life of the worke in you) would doe anie thing
to purpose. Oh my good brother there is no depending
upon men, no not those who professe themselves & wee
take to bee most our freindes. For if a freind loveth at
all times & a brother is borne for the day of adversitie,
then surely among men wee have few true freindes, or
else, sometimes the dutie of love is to bee dispenced withall
(at least in the fruites thereof) or else this (wherein your
lives could not but bee apprehended to lie at stake & more
then that too) was not the day of adversitie. Oh it is a
sweete & sure thing to have all our dependance upon the
faithf nines & kindnes of our loving, good & gracious God,
but they that trust unto or depend upon anie of the sonnes
of men, they may come to the pits, but usuallie retoume
ashamed. Yet that the Lord may shew his faithfulnes in
the unfaithf nines of men, hee raiseth up stones, & maketh
the barren to beare us fruits of his love, whereas they
whose full breasts wee depend upon will let downe no
dramme or drop of needed helpe proportionable to our
necessities or their engagements. I never saw so much
of man, nor ever dreamed there was so little to bee had
when so much might iustly bee expected as now I find.
The Lord sanctifie our experience unto us & teach us that
wisedome that wee may neyther bee imbittered against
them, nor cruel to ourselves in depending on them.
14 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1630.
Mr. Craddocke is verie much affected with the report
of an unkindnes wherein (by consent) hee heares you
were all interested ; thus he relates it. When you saw
a necessitie of easing the plantation of manie eyther by
sending them backe or giving way unto them to dispose
of themselves, consultation was had what was to bee done
touching his servants who were found to bee the worst, &
complained of as the most burthensome of all the rest.
To send manie of them backe was held to bee the best
way, both for the plantations good & his, but because
there was expectation of the retoume of his ships with
provision & Cattle, Mr. Sharpe advized that it were best
to deferre this, till his ships retoumed againe, least that
(seeing his numbers to decrease so much, & his particular
not to neede so large supplies) the plantation should loose
the benefit of what helpe hee might afFoord with a purpose
of supplying his owne. So that this is his collection, in
that this was hearkened unto, that you cared not what
burthen you laide upon, or what iniurie you did unto him
so that &c. If it were thus (as report gives this, as well
as other thinges that will admit a like misconstruction
to be worse) I feare least hereby wee should provoke not
onely those whose edge is not aequallie dulde with other
mens as yet, but the Lord our God also who will not
countenance anie uniust acts of his best serv^ants. And
trulie of all those that here are interested in the plantation
there is none that retaines so lively affections unto you as
himselfe, nor that is more likely, or more able to doe us
real courtesies (especiallie with the state) than himselfe, &
answerablie that being provoked is like to doe us more
iniurie & hurt.
Mr. Goffe stood a long while, both in his owne & other
mens repute, in an ambiguous or rather desperate estate,
but at length (by the favour & mercie of his creditours &
God in them) obtaines hope of subsisting in his former
calling. His debts from the plantation are transferd
1630.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 15
over to manie honest men (who pittying his sufferings &
observing how they reflected in the general acceptation
upon the plantation) have promised to lend him so much
iQonie as may set him in a way of trade againe. So that
it will more than ordinarilie (not onely for iustice sake
(which is the cheife) but for our owne sakes) conceme us to
take such a faire course with him, as unto the passionate
expressions of his much distempered & much to bee com-
passionated (though iustly to bee reproved) weakenesses
of Spirit, wee adde not the deeper-wounding taxations of
divers of our godly freindes, (who, if anie, are likely to be
helpeful to us in future times concilio^ auxilio^ re)^ that
are now interested in this cause. That which I labour to
quiet him withall viz. Mr. Goffe, & to satisfie & assure his
freindes of, is, that upon manifestation of the accounts as
they truUe stand betweene him & anie of the plantation,
such course will be taken by giving him speedie yea
immediate content thereon (both for what was due & for
the time since it was first due) as anie indiffirent men
shall thinke reasonable. Now I beseech you take it so
seriously to hart as wee may not staine that glorie which
will bee a good defince against the stormie windes &c. as
in Job's case, Samuel's, Jeremie's & others. Though there
bee a Spirit in mee that (upon my sufferings from him
more than anie) lusts otherwise, yet I dare not give way
to it. I have parted with his house, & live now next
Dr. Denisons bv Kree Church, much adoe I have to
Carrie ray selfe so towards him (being ever vindicating the
plantation from his & other mens charges) as to keepe
anie faire quarter. I will not trouble you to relate such
shrewde collections as hee gathereth from seeing how
much adoe your freindes & agents here have to supply
your present necessities : What (saith hee) should I have
done or would they (meaning the plantation) if more cattle
had come alive, or I had gone on with my Irish voiage ;
hee saith they seeke evasions, not so much because hee
16 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1630.
hath not performed his part, as because they are not
able to maka good thehrs. Otherwhiles hee will speake,
& hope all good of & from the plantation: but I wish
there may not bee lanie occasion given from whence hee
or anie may blemish our godly purposes.
The Spanish peace is concluded & proclaimed as I
intimated (now I remember it) in my last weeke's letter.
The Bishop of London hath silenced manic godly men
of late, this last Monday Mr. Archer is by him silenced for
all England, the cause is taken from his iudgment declared
in a Sermon (which I thinke you heard) that wee ought not
to bow our knee at the name Jesus. The least good newes
from you is Uke to bring enough unto you, both men &
monie ; for the present wee have resolved (taking that Coun-
cel from necessitie) to leave the sollicitation of our common
stocke, Mr. Downing conceaving that everie pennie now
(as it were by begging) received, may hinder us it may
bee pounds afterwards, which (when thinges are thriving)
men will helpe on, though they will not helpe up when
they are under foote. Cum fueris felix &c. nullus ad &c.*
Dr. Ames, as great a blessing & blessing bringer (if his
remove bee clearely warrantable) as wee could desire,
continues his hartie affection to us. I received & sent
last weeke that by which you will know ex ungue leonem.
My dearest love unto you & Mr. Governor with all the
lovers of the Lord Jesus with you. Salute I pray you
all the brethren especially Mr. Dudlie, Mr. Nowel, pVIr.]
Coddington, Mr. Broadistreete theirs & the rest of our
godly freindes ; from your loving & deepely engaged brother
Jo: HUMFREY.
LONDO. Dec. 23, 1630.
* The writer undoubtedly intended to recall the lines of Ovid (Trist i. Eleg. ix.): —
" Donee eris felix, multos numerabis amicos,
Tcmporu si fuerint nubila, »olus eris.
Nullub ad atnissas ibit amicus opes.'^ Eds.
1(^J4-41.] THE WIJvTHROP PAPERS. 17
JOHN HUMFREY TO [JOHN WINTHROP].*
Much honoured, — I was both yesterday morning &
night to have attended you but at both times too late.
This morning I doubted I should have beene as much too
earlie for you, as I was by some unexpected detention too
late for my owne occasions. Yet being further neces-
sitated to stay at Charlestowne, I thought good to satisfie
my selfe rather then you, in revolving the cause of that
diminution of your wonted respect which upon unappre-
hended premisses I could not divine. So that now contrarie
to my former apprehensions, I rather wonder you were not
more alienated from mee, conceaving mee to be imder that
guilt (which I blesse God I am not) then that you were so
much. However I know your greater latitude both of
parts & pietie steares your practice beyond my reach,
yet why (so conceaving of mee) should you not with com-
passion or feare (pulling out of the fire) explicate & set
in ioint a forlome & sin deceaved wretch ? Your tender-
Ties in other kindes hath sometimes manifested itselfe ; for
which I have blessed God & you in my feeble expressions.
The proportions of the bowels of Christ mee thinkes
should have much more expresd themselves herein. And
yet I must acknowledge your Joseph like tendemes in
this with all due thankefulnes, both in regard of my owne
particular, & my relations to our common engagements.
Wherein the Lord shall be pleased to enable & enlarge
mee to further expressions of thankefulnes to him & your
selfe, I trust I shall studiously & sincerely endeavour to
husband his grace. Onely I beseech you in the name, &
for the honour of our common Saviour, not to suffer mee
to goe blindfolded with the deceipts of anie sinne, where
• There is no date to this letter. It was probably written to the elder Winthrop, while
Hurafrey was in New England, between 1634 and 1C41. — Eds.
3
18 THE WINTIIROP PAPERS. [ir>42.
eyther your clearer light or godly iealousies may have
occasion to cxprcsse themselves. For though I know no
sinne my soule desires approvingly to make anie league
withall ; yet I experimentallie know my heart is despe-
rately deceitful, & God the Searcher of harts can dis-
cover more of mee to others, then hee may be pleased to
doc unto my selfe, at least for a time. If anie such case
& time fall out by the permission of God in the revolu-
tion of anie of my fibrous corruptions, though you should
not (which yet I ever hope you shall) have thankes from
mee, yet you shall not (you know) goe without a full re-
ward from him who covers a multitude of sinnes in them
who seeke to reduce & save anie sinsicke soule. My
paper & time (though your patience should not) confine
mee. 1 am though your weake & God's wicked, yet I
hope (at least out of gusts of temptations) the sincere
servant of both. Jo : Humfrey.
■
My busines yesterday morning was to tender the pai-
ment of that debt of love to you which you have wished
to mee, viz. to supply you (if your occasions requirde) with
such monies as I had to spare from my pressing necessities.
Your least word or intimation shall commaund what is left.
JOHN HUMFREY TO JOHN WINTHROP JR.*
To his worthy deare friend Jo. Winthrop Esq these in hast.
Dearest & most desired Sir, — You are a thousand
times wcUcome home, & should be 10000()()0()0()000(^0 times
to mee if you would goe along with mee. I beseech you if
you see the wind chops about contrarie, & hold tliere, come
downe, I will beare your charges of the Post, & you shall
• This letter whs nddn^ssed to tlie younper Wintlirop. after Humfrey hud returned
"home" in afiHction, and while the former wap temporarily in Knghuid. — Kds.
IWJ.] THE WINTHROP PAPLRS. 19
doe no worse (but as much better as you will & I can
helpe it) then I. Indeede I thinke you should have beene
with us before. I have laine winde bound here these 5
weekes yet not daring to budge an inch, expecting everie
day our ships coming, which have laine in like case this
fortnight at Cowes. But this morning the wind springs
up faire, & I hope the ships will be suddenly in with us.
Good deare loving Sagamore, let us have your companie if
possible. If you can be helpefuU anie way to my poore
familie I know you neede not be intreated. I heare they
want monie. I pray speake to my good freind Mr. War-
ing (to whome, with his, my best respects with all thankes •
for all manner of kindnes) I know hee will not see them
in miserie that are cast upon them. About sixe pounds a
month I suppose will doe their turne sufficiently, the rest
I would gladly should goe to the paying of debts except
that which you shall neede thereof, & by vertue hereof I
inable you to take for your (if) emergent necessities.
With my love & my love over & over & through & through
I rest
Your most affectionate foolish faithfuU
Jo : HUMFREY.
Weymouth Jul. 21. 42.
20 THE WIKTIIROP PAPERS. [1627.
WILL AND LETTERS OF ISAAC JOHNSON.
WILL OF ISAAC JOHNSON.*
This is the last will and testament of mee Isacke Johnson
of Boston in the Com of Lincoln esquier made the twen-
tieth day of Aprill in the Third yeare of the raigne of our
Soueraigne Lord Charles Kinge of England Scotland
Frannce and Ireland &c beinge in some distemper of
body But in good and perfect vnderstandinge and memory :
fFor my soule I shall willingly resigne itt into the hands of
my God thorough Jesus Crist when hee shall please to
call for itt: ffor my body I leave itt to be burj^ed in
the Churchyard of Boston in such maner and with such
funerall expences and with such Tomb or stone to be sett
over the place where my body shall lye and with such
inscripcon to be wrytten thereon as shall seeme good to my
executors hereafter named: ffor my temporall estate I
dispose of itt in this maner followinge ffirst I giue and
devise to my honourable and dearely beloved wife over
and aboue the Lands already conveyed to her for her life
in Joincture before our entermarryage All that wood and
wood ground called or knowen by the name of Eystowe
* Hutchinson (i. 16, note) refers to a will of Johnson, ** uncnncelletl, and wliich remains
on the Massachusetts files, executed April 28, in the fifth of King Charles.** It has been
searched for in vain, however, since Hutchinson described it. His citations from it gene-
rally correspond with the above will; and it would naturally be inferred that he had erred
in the date of the execution, were tliere not a few apparent discrepancies in other respects.
Hutchinson also refers to a hiter will of Johnson; probably the one copied by Mr. Savage
from the " Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury," and published in Mass. Hist
Soc. Coll., vol. viii., 8d series, pp. 244, 245. The will here printed is valuable as furnishing
information in regard to its author*s condition and circumstances before he came over to
New England. — See, in relation to Johnson's M-ills, a letter of Jo: Bradinge (26 May, 1631),
among the miscellaneous letters in this volume. — Eds.
1627.] THE WIjSTHROP PAPERS. 21
wood alias Eyshawe wood standing lyeing and being in
Stretton in the Com of Rutland conteyninge by estyma-
con betweene Eight score and Nyne score acres be the
same more or lesse And also all those closes of pasture
arrable or wood ground lyeing and beinge in Pickworth
in the said Com of Rutland called or knowen by the name
of Pickworth Stockinges all which I lately purchased to
mee and my heires of George Boteler of Lee Lodge in
the said Com of Rutland Esqr: To have and to hold
vnto my said wife for and dureinge the tearme of her
naturall life: which lands I soe bequeath vnto her in
performance & satisfaccon of one obligacon made by mee
heretofore to the right honourable Theophilus Earle of
Lyncoln brother of my said wife or to some other to her
vse wherein I stand bound in a great some of money
with condicon to this purpose that I shall assure vnto or
for my said wife one hundreth pounds by the yeare for
her life more than her Joincture before menconed, which
lands hereby devysed vnto her are of the value of six score
pounds by the yeare or neare thereabouts and soe will
more then performe the intencon of the said obligacon
and the condicon thereof: provyded alwayes that if the
said Earle of Lyncoln or such other persone or persones
to whome I stand bound in the said obligacon shall not
deliver the said obligacon to my executors within six
monethes after my decease to be cancelled or in case the
said obligacon cannot be found if then my said wife and
the said Earle or such other persone or persones to whome
I stand bound as aforesaid shall not within six monethes
after my decease make scale and delyvcr a generall release
to my said executors whereby the said obligacon may be
avoyded and discharged that then this present gyfte and
devise concerninge the said Eystowe wood or Eyshawe
wood and the wood-ground and the said closes called
Pickworth Stockinges shal be void and of none effect :
and Provyded also vnder the same penalty that my said
22 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1627.
wife shall permytt and suffer such wood as is already sold
to be quyetly reniooved and carryed away of from the said
ground by those whoe have bought the same: Item I give
and bequeath more to my said wife as a testymony of my
true love and bounty towards her my lease of my howse
in Boston aforesaid and three mylch beasts and three
geldinges and also Three hundreth pounds of Lawfull
money beinge parte of that ready money which I nowe
have in my howse and also all my howshold stufFe and
plate and English bookes of Dyvinyty intreatinge her to
use the same to God's honour and to be helpful! to my
executors in delyveringe them all my wryteinges evydences
& bookes that thereby they may be enabled for the exe-
cucon of this my will: Item I give and devise to my
dearelv beloved and reverenced ffather Abraham Johnson
esquier all that and those my manour and manours of and
in Braunston alias Braundiston in the Com of Northamp-
ton and all my lands tenements and heredytaments in
Braunston aforesaid and in Braunston Bury in the said
Com of Northampton and all my revercon and revercons
thereof and also all that my manour of Glenfeild in the
Com of Leicester and all my lands tenements and heredy-
tiiments there To have and to hold to him mv said ffather
and to his heires forever: Provyded alwaies nevertheles
That if my said ffather his heires or assignes shall not well
and truely pay vnto my executors hereafter named within
one yeare next after the day of my decease at or in the
porch of Boston Church in the said Com of Lincoln
the some of Twelve hundreth pounds of lawfuU money
of England That then this present gifte and devyse of
mv said manours of & in Braunston and Glenfeild and
all the lande and premisses there shalbe vtterly void
and of none effect And then and in that case my Will
is that my said executors shall have tlie said manour and
lands of and in Braunston alias Braundiston and sell the
same and the inlierytance thereof unto whom tliev shall
1627.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 23
thincke meete that soe they may pay themselves the said
Twelve hundreth pounds with the interest thereof and
delyver the overplus to my said fFather and his heires:
Item I give and devise to my beloved brother Samuell
Johnson eldest sonne of my said fFather by his second wife
nowe lyveinge in present possession my manour of Clyps-
ham in the Com of Rutland and all my messuages cottages
lands tenements and heredytaments in Clypsham afore-
said (which my wife holdeth not in Joincture for her life
and which is not hereby in this my will given or devised to
her and to John Wheeler my servant for such estates and
t^armes as are herein menconed) and also the revercon
and revercons of all my said lands tenements and heredy-
taments with their appurtenances in Clypsham, Stretton,
and Pickworth aforesaid after the determynacon or expira-
con of the said tearmes & estates hereby given or devised
to mv said wife and servant John Wheeler and after
the determynacon of my wyves Joincture as is aforesaid :
To have and to hold the said manour lands tenements
heredytaments revercon and revercons to my said brother
Samuell Johnson and his heires forever : Item I give &
devise to my said servant John Wheeler for his faithfuU
& painefull service performed to mee in my life tyme all
that messuage or tenement in Clypsham aforesaid with
two little closes neere vnto the same and one or two closes
of arrable belongeing to the said messuage all which is
reputed to be Thirty acres or thereabouts beinge nowe
in the tenure of one Robert Lorrington whoe holdeth
the same by lease paroU from Mr. Robert Johnson my
graundfather To have and to hold the same and the rent
of seaven pounds by the yeare reserved vpon the said lease
to the said John Wheeler and such woman as hee shall
first take to wife, for and during their naturall lyves, and
the life of the longer lyver of them : Item I give to my
servant Robert Dyxie for his like faithfuU service Thyrty
pounds in money and to my servant Phillip Johnson
24 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1627.
fF)^ty pounds in money or one annuytie or yearely rente
of Twenty nobles for and dureinge the tearme of his
naturall life to be paid him vpon the fFyve and twentieth
day of March and the nyne and twentieth day of Septem-
ber or within ten dayes after at the Church porch of Boston
aforesaid by equall porcons The first payement thereof
to be made and begin vpon such other said dayes as shall
next happen after the day of my decease: which said
somme of fFyfty pounds or Twenty nobles by the yeare
I doe hereby will shalbe paid vnto him by my executors
at the choise of my said executors which they shall thincke
to be meetest for his advancement: Item I give to Thomas
Edgly my servant Twenty nobles and to Edward Greene my
servant fFj-ve pounds and to John Ravensdale my servant
Three pounds : Item I give to be bestowed for good vses
as my executors and Mr. Cotton of Boston shall tliincke
meete one hundreth pounds, and towards the reliefe of my
poore distressed Cristian brethen in the Palatinate Twenty
pounds and for the reliefe and educacon of yonge Ger-
mtanes here in England I give Twelve pounds by the
yeare for foure yeares : Item I give to the most worthyly
honoured Lord the Lord Viscount Sav and Seale as a
testymony of the due afFeccon I owe to his vertues my
yonge stoned horse intrcatinge him to accept thereof:
Item I give to my reverend grandfather Mr. Doctor
Chaderton as a testeymony of my thanckfulnes for my
educacon vnder him fFpe peices of Two and twenty
shillinges a piece, and the like somme to my worthy
grandmother his wife : Item I give to my beloved mother
in lawe the lease of certaine lands which my fFather
formerly graunted mee, which lands lye in or neere Mol-
ton in the Com of Lincoln and are worth foure pounds
and a noble yearely more then the rent reserved thereupon :
fFor the rest of my brethren and sisters I have remembred
them hereafter in this my will : Item I give to my most
reverend and deare freind Mr. John Cotton Minister of
1627.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 25
Boston Thirty pounds and a gowne cloath : Item I give to
my very lovinge freind John Butler of Okeham gent fFyve
pounds and fForty shillinges to my good freind his wife
besides the fFyve marcks by the yeare due to him by my
graundfathers will intreatinge him to be helpfull to
my executors in the execucon of my will as hee can:
Item I give to my lovinge freind Mr. Henry Rastall of
Stamford flForty shillinges and to my loving freind his
wife Twenty shillinges: Item I forgive my kinsman
Henry Stafford the Three score pounds and odd money due
to mee as executor to my grandfather and Thirty pounds
of that money which I since lent him vpon condicon that
he pay Twenty pounds or Thirty pounds due besides vnto
mee to my executors within three monethes after my
decease : Item I give to the Towne Clerck of Stamford Mr.
Richard Bucher for his former service and freindship to
my grandfather and my selfe and in hope of the helpe he
will afford to my executors in the execucon of this my will
Twenty nobles : Item I give to my good freind Mr. Jonathan
Tongue and his wife Twenty shillinges a piece : Item I
give to Mr. Vicars the minister of Stamford ffyve pounds :
Item I give to the old hospitall in Okeham the money
that is yett to receave vpon the bonds of John Beaver,
and Twenty pounds in money : Item I give and devise to
my kinsman Mr. William Walker of Stamford the revercon
of all my lands tenements and heredytaments in Stamford
aforesaid in the said Com of Lincoln after the decease
of my aforesaid ffather Abraham Johnson whoe hath the
evidences thereof: To have and to hold vnto the said
William Walker and his heires for ever : Provvded
alwayes nevertheless that if the said William Walker
shall not within two yeares next after the decease of my
said ffather pay satisfy and discharge all such debts as
my grandfather Mr. Robert Meadowes did owe at the
tymc of his decease and which are yett vnpaid whether
the same be due upon specyalty or without specyalty,
4
26 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1627.
(except such debts as were or are due by him to my
said fFathcr Abraham Johnson) that then this present
gyft and devise shall cease and be voyd: And then I
give and devise the same revercon of the said lands to my
executors and their heires To the intent that they shall
sell the inherytance thereof to whome they shall thinke
meete and pay the said debts due by my said grandfather
Robert Meadowes and give the overplus of the money
which shalbe receaved for the sale thereof vnto the said
William Walker and his heires : Item vpon the said pro-
viso before menconed I give to the said William Walker
all such moneyes as hec oweth mee which I thincke is
about thirty poundes otherwise I will that my executors
dispose of it as hereafter I shall appointe: To my Co-
sen Nathanael Turner I give fFyve pounds : To the poore
people of Boston I give ffoure pounds and to the poore
of Stamford ffoure pounds To the poore of Braunston
three pounds To the poore of Clypsham fforty shillinges :
and to the poore of North LufFenham fforty shillinges:
All other my lands leases stattutes recognizances bonds
bills debts monyes horses beasts sheepe and other
goods and chattells whatsoever I give to my worthyly
esteemed freinds Richard Bellingham of Boston in the
Com of Lincoln esquier and to Thomas Dudley of the
same Towne & Com gent whome I doe hereby make
executors of this my last will and testament my will
beinge herein further expressed that my said executors
shall therewith iustly and truely pay my debts which I owe
to every persone as the same shall growe due and that
they shall pay the charge of my funerall expenses which
I will shall not exceede the charge of ffifty pounds (vnles
my executors shall see necessary cause to the contrary) in
blacke tombe or otherwise and also that they shall pay to
themselves whatsoever costs charges and expences they
shall expend or be putt vnto for by reason or in respect of
this my will or the probate or execucon thereof or of any
1627.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 27
thinge tending thereunto eyther in suytes at lawe or other-
wise and lastly that the overplus of my said personall estate
after my debts legacyes and funerall expcnces & charges
shalbe defrayed shall by my said executors be equally
devyded into three parts, one parte whereof I will shal be
given to my said deare fFather a second parte to my beloved
brethren and sister and the other third parte to my poore
kindred especyally and cheifely to my grandfather John-
son's brother's children And if the surplusage of the estate
shall amount to Eighteene hundreth pounds I will that my
Cosen John Johnson of Cambridge Stationer shall have at
the least fFyfty pounds thereof: Item I give to my execu-
tors for their paynes and love in takeinge upon them the
execucon of this my last will and testament as foUoweth
viz : To Mr. Richard Bellingham Twenty pounds by the
yeare for three yeares next ensuyinge the day of my de-
cease and to Mr. Thomas Dudley thirty pounds by the
yeare for the like tearme and a geldinge and my bookes
(except those hereafter given to my wife) for his former
helpfulnes to mee and because the waight of the buisnes
will most lye vpon him : And I will that my executors doe
pay all the legacyes which are yet vnpaid of my grand-
fathers will And that for the doeinge thereof and the pay-
inge of the legacyes now given by my selfe my executors
shall have a yeare and six monethes to pay them in or
sooner if they can : Item I give my little English bookes of
Dyvinyty to my deare wife : Also I will that all postscripts
and Codicells which shall hereafter be added or annexed
to this my will by mee in my life tyme shalbe my will
also and shalbe of equall valydytie with this my will for-
merly wrytten.
In wytnes whereof I the said Isack Johnson have to
every sheete of paper wherein this my Will is wrytten sub-
scrybed my name and sett to my Seale and published the
same to be my Will in the presence of those whose names
are vnder wrytten.
28 THE WINTIIROP PAPERS. [1625.
Postscript : Item I give the advowson and right of pa-
tronage of the Rectory and parishe Church of Clipsham
in the Com of Rutland vnto my afore said executors
Richard Bellingham and Thomas Dudley and to Mr. John
Cotton the nowe minister of Boston and to the longer
lyver of them.
Isa: Johnson.
Wytnesses of the publishing hereof
John Humfrey
Thomas Hill
George Clapham
John Clapham.
CICELY CHADERTON* TO ISAAC JOHNSON.
To my verie loving nephew Mr. Isack Johnson at Noiili Luffenham,
(jive these.
Beloved Isaake, — My true and vnfayncd loue I com-
mend to you and to the Lady your wife, for whom I cordial-
ly desire that her virtue and piety may exceed her honour,
and then she is truly honourable every way. Good Isaak,
I haue received (partly by your letters, partly by your
speech to my sclfe, to Doctour Preston, & others) many
smooth and good words : now is the time you are to
manifest deeds a:*quivalent, and then I shall well perceiue
that it was not a bare pleasing perfume that vanisheth.
I cannot expresse to you how much I was greived at the
• Cicely Ghaderton whs the wife of Rev. Lawrence Chaderton, D.D., Master of
Emmiinucl College, Cambridge, — one of the Puritan divines nominated by King James
to attend the Hampton-Court Conference in IOO3, and one of the translators of the Bible.
He died in 1640, at a very advanced age. Abraham Johnson married, for his first wife,
Anne Meadows (mother of I^anc), daughter of Robert Meadows of Stamford: his second
wife was the sole child of Lawrence Chaderton, and Cicely his wife; who, therefore,
was indirectly "grandmother" of Isaac Johnson, but directly of his half brothers and
sister, children of Elizabeth (Chaderton) Jolinson. — Clarke's Lives, p. 146; Neal's History
of the Puritans, ii. 340; Peck, Desiderata Curiosa, ii. 833, n.; Brook, Lives of the Puritans,
ii. 445; Rose, Biog. Dictionary; N.E. Hist, and Gcneal. Register, viii. 359. — Eds.
1629.] THE WINTHROP PArERS. 29
hearing of your Grandfather's Will, yet (as God knoweth)
not soe much for the littlenesse of legasies to your fFather,
and your Brothers, as for the blemmish of his reputation,
who was so eminent for wisdome and wealth. Sweet
Isacke, as you loue God, and the creditt of his gospell
which you professe, and mee your true loving grandmother,
who doe desire your good every way, agree with your
fFather without suits in law, which will be both scandalous
to others, and wastfuU to yourselues. If I be put to it, I
must, and will sweare truly to the articles of contract, and
the note of inducement, by which I was drawne to accept
of the match, which I had formerly denyed. But verbum
sapienti satis.
I haue sent you one doozen of gloves, and haue payd
the glover, who hath abated of the price specified in his
note, viz: for two doozen of gloves with facing and
fringe 505; for two doozen of plaine gloves 20s: soe
you owe mee 20^, which you may give to Sam: for mee.
My good will was to haue come to you with my husband,
on purpose to be acquainted with my Lady your wife, but
some impediments haue put it of, but not taken it away :
I waite for the next opportunity and even soe, comending
my selfe to your first and second selfe, I commend vs all
to the gratious blessing of God in Christ Jesus, remayning
while I am, or haue a beeing on earth
Your loving grandmother Cicely Chaderton.
Aug. 24 1625.
ISAAC JOHNSON TO EMANUEL DOWNING.
To my much esteem^ed worthy /rend Mr. Dovminge ait his howse
in Fleetestreete neere the Cunditt give these, with Speed.
Good Mr. Downinge, — The tumultuousnes of my owne
affayres uppon my cominge down was such, as I forgatt
to send to you accordinge to my intention, to know when
you were determined for Lincolnshire; that so I might
30 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1629.
the fittlyer haue disposed my self and my occasions, that
I might haue beene wholly yours. That which then I
omitted, I must endeavour to supplye att this Tyme in my
entreatves to vou to send mee word when it will bee
and where : If you please to send, now or att any other
Tyme, any letters to one Mr. Churchill a Guttler neere
Holbome Cunditt, they will be conveyed to mee. This
Carier comes out of London Tuesday mominge. It had
beene an excellent Tyme for Mr. Winthorpe to haue beene
this Commencement att Cambridge, where I heare are
manv reverend Divines, to consider of ]Mr. White's call.
Lett me entreat to be remembred to him, when you
haue occasion to write to him. So expecting you both
heere ere it bee long, with the acknowledgment of much
beholdingnes to you for many undeser\^ed fauors, I am
forced to break off, restinge Your assured frend
IsA. Johnson.
Sempringham July 8, 1629.
ISAAC JOHNSON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To ye Bight Worship/uU my much esteemed kinde Frend John
Winthropj Esqr, at Groton in Suffolke giue these.
Good Sir, — I received your letter by your neighbour,
whom I wellcomed into our Socict) \ Wee haue much
cause to bee thanckfuU for Gods presence still with us.
I was vdih Mr. Downinge this afternoone and agreed
uppon the Peticon ; Mr. Edsbury wee mett withall, who
hopes to gett us 20 peece of ordinance, and the Charles.
Touching buyinge of Ordinance ourselves, w^ee confirred
with the Master Gunner, with Capt. Waller & Cap. Venn :
And upon agitacon wee finde that the new mettle will
quickly heate and reverse, so that we are quite off them,
saue only for a Drake or 2; what is determined about
them I refer to Mr. Pinchons narracon who hath beene
imployed in the worke since.
1629.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 31
Touching Mr. Hooker, we are not yet resolved what
to doe, saue only to write to him, or goe to him, to see
whether hee entends to goe or write, that wee may doe
accordingly. Dr. Ames would haue the like respect, as
Mr. Cotton well remembers us off. If others may accom-
pany him, my brother Samuel would bee one, who hath
beene in those parts with Dr. [tom'] before. Your sonn
would doe very well to bee one b[ut] I feare we cannot
spare him because he is to studdy [tom'] [an]d Gunnery
heere for after imployment [obliterated^ ex[cept] that jour-
ney would helpe forwards that: That your [tom'j take
uppon us to dispose both of you & youi's att [torn] lea-
sures for the publique. He is a very ingenious Gentle-
man and I am perswaded will be of speciall vse to the
Plantation. Wee haue writt a letter to Sir N. Rich to gett
a letter from him to Capt. Gosnall, that your sonn may
by his meanes take a veiw & plott of Harwich fort for us ;
for which I pray you lett him haue Tyme, & the Company
will be thanckfull ; and Ictt him come up agayne as soone
as may bee. I received notice from Leicester that diuerse
Christians are thinckinge to come from thence, and about
Manchester one Mr. Roote a Godly minister & able
(if hee had a call,) & 40 with him. Leicester men desire
him for their minister. I haue wrote word that if those
2 places can make a Congregacon they may haue him.
They sent up a dozen or 13 Queres which haue beene
answered.
Touching Mr. Peters your caution is good, but I hope
wee shall give you coutent, that his place will not be
unsupplyed, nor his coming over offensive nor dangerous.
I shall, (God willing) speake to Mr. Goffe about the cowes
& Mr. Wright about the caske & provisions to supply vs
&c. For my modesty (as you call it) it is just as I find
needfull to write off, that you may pray for mee the more,
and expect the less ; yet what I am I a[m] Yours
Isa: Johnson.
32 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1629.
[P.S.] We had a Court on Tuesday att which was 3 or 4
howres debated whither those that added to their subscrip-
tions before should haue it now fully ended, and after
3 or 4 houres strong debate it was concluded against them.
So as now wee shall I hope goe securely on with the
marchants. Mee thincks 1 ended soe abruptly with my
paper without expression of lone & affection answerable
to the receipt of yours. But I am weary & not very well,
therefore entreat you to supply it out of the abundance
of yours. I haue sent Sir Nath. Rich his letter for
your Sonne, which I hope is sufficient. I hope hee will
sufficiently informe himselfe of the dimensions of the Fort
and all things about it, as, likewise, of what severall
matterialls, what kinde of earths or wood the severall
parts are framed off. It is likely he may inquire of some
thereabouts, labourers, or artificers or artists, that helped
to make it. Let him take speciall notice of the thicknes
of the walls, where the ordinance is layd forth and how
long our ordinance had neede to bee in that regard, &
send what speedy word may bee with conveniency.
17 Decr. 1629.
For that wee are advized by some to haue all our
ordinance 8t foote & a half from the base hoope to the
muzzell, others and the most to haue none vnder 9 foote
to bee so measured, in regard that otherwise they will bee
in danger to throw downe the walls of the Fort. But heres
the difficulty, heere are some, I thinck enough, of 8t foote
& of 8t and a half uppon the Tower hill, but those of 9
will hardly or not att all bee gott for the first vioage, so
that wee are att a great loss ; For some thinck better carry
but a few now that are fitt & reserue the others for the
last ships, then to carry vnscruiceable ones ; & others
thinck better to carry our number, for the feare and noyse
of them may doe us good; & they may hereafter serve for
some use. Thus you see how hardly I was drawne on this
side my paper, & yet now how prolix I am. Pray send
us your opinion of this, for it much stumbles us. &c.
•
1630.] THE WINTHROP* PAPERS. 32*
B G TO ISAAC JOHNSON.
To the WorshipfuU his assured loving freind Mr. Isaac Johnson
dlr the is.
WoRTHiE Sir, — I receaued your kind letter, bearing
date xijth of August, for which I hartily thancke you,
that in the midst of your great trobles (the which I assure
my self are verie many,) you will let your penn loose to
declare to your flfreinds that they are not forgotten. But
since the arrival of your letter I haue herd of your heavie-
nes, for which with you I bare my share, but I trust that
that wilbe an occasion of our seeing you heere in old
England the sooner. Sir, ther is litle or nothing that is
worthie of newes, but that all things are as you left them,
& rather worser then any whit amended, the Gent : are
still in prison, and tossed from the Kings Bench to the
gate howse in Westminster, & from thence to the K.
Bench againe : all this since Midsomer last. Vppon Sab-
both day last the Articles of Peace with Spaine w^eare
swome to in great state (as I am informed of) in the
Chappell at Whitle-Hall, the which at this presente 1 can-
not send, in that they are kept soe close : and ther was
a verie great feast made for the Ambessadour, which cost
7000/, but instead of cupbords of plate, which it was
vsuallie to be set forth at such tymes, ther weare cupbords
of glasses for them, &c.
Yesterday, the Earle of Castle-Haven was committed to
the gate-howsp, close prisoner, (whoe is Jesuitted,) for fowle
oflfences, as I am informed ; for noe lesse then bugger ie,
and for comanding his owne dafter and his ladie for to
prostrate themselues to his owne favorite, (one Mr. Skip-
with) whoe is likewise committed to the King s Bench,
and all these & far worser practises came to be made
knowne to the king, by the peticion of his daughters hus-
32* THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1630.
band. Thus with a harty desire for a blessing on all your
enterprises, at this tyme doe take my leave, remayneing
Yours to be commanded both in private & publique,
B: G:*
Cliff: I[nne,] 6*: Dec: 1630.
I pray present my service to Sir Rich : Saltonstall, witK
my prayers for him & his ; and if ther be one Mr. Ludlowe
neare you, I pray remember me to him, & let him knov^e
his brother is in helth.
* This letter seems to be signed B: G:; but we know not for what name those initials
stood. Possibly the letters were intended for B : P : The arms on the seal are those of
the Burrell Family, of Bromo Park, in Northumberland, and also of Dowsby, Lincoln-
shire, and Ryhall, in the county of Rutland. Richard, the fourth son of William, Lord
Say and Sele, and brother to the Countess of Lincoln, married Margaret, the daughter of
Abraham Burrell of Wisbech, in the Isle of Ely; and it is probable that the writer of the
letter was thus connected with the family of the Earl of Lincoln, into which Isaac John-
son had married. The letter evidently alludes to the death of Lady Arbella Johnson ; but,
like the letter of Humfrey with which this volume opens, it was written in ignorance that
Isaac Johnson himself had died more than two months before its date; so slow was the
transmission of tidings across the ocean in those days. It may be well to add, that the
handwriting is not that of Brampton Gurdon, with the initials of whose name the signa-
ture would seem to correspond. — Eos.
1627.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 33
LETTEEIS OF EMANUEL DOWNING*
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
I A M glad to heare of my sisters recouerie : I thank
God wee are all in good health here and at my brother
Fones.
The Master of the wards is oflfered Sr. Needham's Land
by Needham, whither I went once with your selfe to see
your kinswoeman, he entreates you send him word what
valew yt is per annum, and whither likely to be improved
or no, how wooded &c.
There is noe newes from the Duke only this that the
ffbrt is neither taken nor releived.
The Earle of Holland is going over to him with 6000
men, whereof 2000 out of England, 2000 out of Scotland
and 2000 out of Ireland.
Tilly is gotten into the King of Denmark's Country where
the King is putt to the worst, and in danger to be over-
thrown yett is he not pittyed here at Court, because (say
they) he useth not our men well.
The Spaynyard hath sent about 16 ships to the Hand of
Shethland where the great herring fishing is, where they
landed 500 men and haue taken manie of the ffishers netts
and BufFes and done great spoyle to the great hindrance
* Emanuel Downing was a lawyer of the Inner Temple, London. He had married
Lacy Winthrop, the sister of our Governor; by whom he had several children, the eldest
of whom was afterwards known as Sir George Downing, English ambassador at the Hague.
Emanuel came over to New England in 1688. There were few more active or efficient
friends of the Massachusetts Colony during itn earliest and most critical period. — Eds.
5
34 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1628.
of the ffishing. Thus with my Dewty to my mother and
trow love to your selfe and all yours I rest
Your loving brother Em: Downinge.
London 31 August 1627.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
My good brother, — I am glad to heare of your be-
gynning to amend. I doubt your advise in surgery is not
soe good as you may haue here if you will come ere yt
be to late.
The lower house of Parliament haue adioumed the
Parliament till Thursday next, but the Committees of
particular referments meet dayly, they haue made an order
that he that shalbe wanting one thursday next shall for-
feyte 10/.
They are agreed to give the King 5 subsedyes for present
supply, soe as our persons and goods be freed, and that
there be noe more ceassing of souldiers nor pressing of
soldiers to serve beyond the seas against theire wills . Some
other good lawes for rehgion and the statuts to be putt in
execucon against the papists; what the successe hereof
wilbe, manie men yett arc in doubt; the Judges in the
King's Bench doe disclayme the judgement, and doe lay
all the fault one the Attomie generall;
You shall receive hereinclosed a speach published
abroade supposed to be spoken to the King;
1000 Dutch horse are dayly expected, whereof newes
cam last night that 300 of them are landed.
I pray thanke my brother Gostlyn for his paynes to Mr.
Lynn of his serving the Inivnction, I doubt Mr. Lynn
will force me to make affidavit, I pray entreate my brother
Gostlyn to keepe the copie of the Inivnction. Thus long
expecting your coming, with my dewty to my good mother
1628.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 35
and my trew love and respect to your selfe, my sister, my
brother Gostlyn and his wife and all yours and all at Mr.
Gourden's I rest leaving you and your afFayres to God's
blessing, Your loving brother Em: Downinge.*
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his louinge ffrind John Winthropj Esq, at Grroton, these dlr,
Suff.
My good brother, — I am glad you retorned home soe
well, and founde them soe there. The newes yeasterday
vpon the exchange was, that the Dutch haue taken the
second parte of the Spaynishe plate ffleete.
One Monday morning the Parliament mett, and present-
ly soe soone as they were sett there came a messenger Mr.
Maxwell of ye bedchamber, from the King, to dissolve
the howse, Mr. Litleton tendred a Demonstrance to the
Speaker to be read, he refused, the howse comaunded him,
he weepes and offers to goe out of the chayre, he was by
force kept in, manie cryed out with him to the barr and
choose an other in his place, they comaunded the Serieant
to lock the dore, ere the Messenger entred, he durst
not, vp riseth a Burgesse and offers his service, they all
willed him lock the dore and bring away the key, they
comaunded the Clarke to reade yt, he answeared that he
was to reade nothing but what was past and entred in the
booke, then Mr. Litleton goes into the next roome and
bumes the Demonstrance, vp riseth Hollace one of the
lord of Clare's sonns, and declares to the howse the
somme and heads of ye Demonstrance, to this effect ; that
all those are enemyes to this Church and Commonwealth
that seeks to bring in these new opynions, and that those
■ ' T -^ — ____ _^_
* This was evidently written in London, aLK)Ut 1628. — Eds.
36 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1630.
Merchants shalbe reputed enemyes to this state that shall
yeald tounadge and poundadge before yt be graimted in
Parliament. And the Conclusion was most sharpe and
cruell against the lord Treasurer and the Bishop of
Wynchester.
One Tuseday Mr. Seldon, Mr. Litleton and 3 more were
sent to the Tower, Sir Peter Heymond and 2 others to the
Gatehowse, 8 more sent for ; all are close prisoners that
are comitted, Mr. Seldon's study is sealed vp. This
morning I was told that there be 2 barges attending at
Whytehall to carry some noblemen to the tower, and that
the Custom howse dores are shutt vp, for that the officers
dare not sett to demaund Custome. I heard yeasterday at
Charing Crosse that the Customers of Lynn were beaten
out of the Custom howse. The good Lord torne all to a
good yssue. Soe mth myne and my wives dewty to my
mother with our love to your selfe and my good sister &c.
I rest your verie loving brother Em : Downinge.
6 Mrtij. 1628.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his loving Cosen Mr. John Wynthroj) at Groton in Suffolke.
Good Cosen, — I haue agreed with Dr. Wright for
4600/ for the sale of Groton as per this enclosed, you may
perceiue ; for 850/ of this purchase. Dr. Wright is to
assigne over a manour worth 50/ per annum, which lyeth
nere Harwich in Essex. I pray send to see yt for yf yt
shall not be thought fitt for my sister, then hee will at a
reasonable day pay the monie.
I expected this week the writings concerning Groton,
but you sent only the last Conveyance and the Parsons
lease, I pray bring vp with you all the writings concerning
that purchase except your Court Roules which may be
delivered in the Countrye ; among your writings be sure
1630.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 37
that you fynd out the Graunt from the King, next the
Conveyance from Adam W: to John W. then the Dedes
from John W. to your flFather and my brother Fones and
what other Deedes you haue concerning your woods, for
this deede you sent me vp mentioneth but 40 acres of
wood, soe yts supposed that the rest of the woods were
bought of some private men and not from the king.
You wilbe expected here on Wednesday or thursday
next at furthest, and as you come leave all your writings
with my Cosen Gary Mildmay at Marks for Mr. Wright
of Romford is to draw the Conveyance, which wee hope
to finishe next weeke and to receiue the monie ; bring vp
with you this enclosed noate.
If you shall mislike this agreement with Dr. Wright,
you shall be at libertye to sell yt to any other that will
give you more for yt, noe man here hath ofFred soe much
by 200/, if you resolve to proceed herein, I pray come
speedyly vp for I shall doe nothing without you therein,
this buisines only keepes me in towne.
As you come bring me Mr. Tyndall's letter for approba-
tion hereof, otherwise yt wilbe further delayed, here is noe
newes yet from New England, soe with my wives and my
trew love to your mother your selfe &c I rest your loving
vncle Em. Downinge.
2do JULIJ, 1630.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his verie loving brother John Winthrop Esqr, Oovemour
of the Plantaconj in Mattachitsetts, New England.
My good brother, — Sithence my last 3 letters sent you
by Mr. Peirce, I haue received yours per the French Ship
dated the 9 of 7ber.
Herewith is sent you a dedimus potestatem to acknowledge
an other flFyne of Groton, and a deed to leade the vse
thereof, because the fFyne you acknowledged before you
38 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1630.
went hence was not well drawne nor sufficient for vs to
sell your land, and my sister must stay here vntill the
dedimus be retourned back, soe that I feare my sister
cannot departe hence vntill the Spring then following, yet
shee is verie willing to haue gone this next Spring if this
occasion had not hindered hir.
I know not how to expresse my thankfulnes suffitiently
for the constant continewance of your love to me euerie
way soe plentifully expressed, among the rest, for your
care in providing my howse, I shall desire to hasten over
soe soone as the Lord shall open me the way, which I
hope wilbe ere long.
Our freinds here, yea those of best Judgement, wishe
you bestowe not much cost in bidlding where you are, but
doe advise that you doe speedily send about the discouerie
of some fitter place, more to the South, where you may
enioye greater comfort in respect of milder winters and
fruitfuUer and earlyer harvests, with more safety from
forreign Invasions: yts certeynly enformed here that soe
litle Sowthward as the Narraganses, there is farr lesse
cold and snow then where you are, but if yt be trew that
IVIr. AUerton reports of Hudson's river, there is noe place
comparable to yt for a plantacon, and t'will quitt cost for
you to remove thither, though all be lost in the place
where you are, for he sayth that Hudsons river goes into
Canada and those 2 make New England an Hand, if this
be trew yts like they meet in the great lake, and soe may
Merrymack ; I feare the want of provisions haue hindred
your discoueries, this yeare, but I hope you shall haue noe
such impediment hereafter.
Wee haue peace with Spayne as per the proclamation
you shall perceive, which wilbe some advantadge to your
plantacon, for you may henceforward haue wheat for 2s
the Bushell and all sorts of Cattle (cheaper then I wrote
that Capten Powell would afoard them) from the Terceras
Hands whence I trust you shall receive some verie shortly.
1631.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 39
whereof I meane, God wiUing, to write at lardge in my
next letters : thus with my wives and my love to your selfe.
Sir Richard, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Dudly, Mr. Nowell, Mr.
Wilson, &c. I leave you to the proteccon of the Almighty,
and rest your verie loving brother
Em: Downinge.
80. lOber 1630.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
lb his verie loving brother John Winthropj Oovernour of tlie
plantation in the Maitachusetts Bay.
My good brother, — Your last letters which cam this
passadge with Mr. Peirce (though they brought the newes
of Mr. Johnsons and some others death) haue much
refreshed my hart and the myndes of manie others,
welwishers to the good worke you haue vndertaken, for
much more was feared, then the good Lord through his
mercy hath laid vpon you, in that soe few haue dyed, and
that now there is hope you wilbe able to subsist and pro-
ceede to lay the foundacon of a plantacon, whereas yt was
the iudgement of most men here that your Colonye would
this winter be dissolved, partly by death through want
of ffbod, bowsing and rayment, and the rest to retome or
to flee for refuge to other plantacons : but blessed be God
that hath maynteyned his owne Cause and preserved you
aUve to helpe further forward this great worke.
I am glad you haue begunn to remove and plant
some what higher vp the river into the land among the
woods, I meane at Watertowne. It is my dayly prayer
that the Lord would give me leave to goe vnto you, which
I hope wrlbe next Spring, Vhi animus ihi homo. You haue
my hart, and I doe mynd nothing for this world more then
to prepare for my goeing vnto you, and when I shall see
40 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1631.
the Lords Providence opening my way, I shall make litle
stay here. I thank you most kindely for your letters, booke
and plotts ; tis tearme, and I haue had yet scarce tyme to
peruse your letters and plotts; I must be trouble some
to you about my cattle and come, whereof my Cosen
Winthrop writes vnto you ; I pray excuse me that I write
noe newes herein, for I haue not tyme, but this rest assured
of that you may be secure from any trouble from Spayne
or France, for they haue theire hands full here, soe with
my comends to all my freinds, with my wives and my
dayly prayers for you, I rest yours E. D.
30 Apb. [1631.]
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his lovinge cousin John Wynthropp Esqr at New-Englande^
these ddd.
Loving Cosen, — Yours at your departure from the
waterside I receiued, and sent lettres, supposing they
might haue overtaken you there, but coming short, they
were safe retorned to me againe. Of the himdreth and
thirty /» you left with me, I paid my Awnt Branch 10/f
for hir last quarteridge ; 5li for my Cosen Dudlye to my
lord Sayes kinsman, of whom he borowed yt to beare his
chardges hither, and 15li more I haue laid out for him in
clothes and some other necessaries ; what other chardge I
shalbe at to fumishe him I yet know not I wilbee as
fnigall as I can therein, and soe I perceive himselfe wilbe.
My brother and sister Paynter were at my howse since
your departure, they tell me they are in hope to gett the
lOOli of the lady Moodam. I perceive they hope you will
stay till yt be recorded there, otherwise you must write
earnestly to them.
1632.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 40*
I pray lett me know what I am growne in debt there,
that I may cleare reckonings with my brother. Thus in
hast, with my love to your selfe and your wife, my cosens
Elizabeth and Mary Winthrop, I rest
Your louing vnckle Em : Downinge.
2* 9^ 1631.
I
This morning about 5 a clock, the Queene was delivered
of [a] girle,* which was presently after baptised, because
yt cam before the tyme, and was verie sick.
The King of Sweaden mustered his armye after he had
retomed from the pursuite of his victorie, to vnderstand
what men he had lost, and found his army to be 25000
men, soe he [found f] 7000 more then when he begann
the battle. He hath 3 other armyes ioyned to him, where-
'of 20,000 are sent to subdew Bavaria, and 20,000 into
Sileatia, and the rest for the setling of the Palsgrave in his
countrye, and himselfe with his 25,000 men are gone to
•Frankford vpon the Meyne, which if he takes, he is to be
King of the Komanes, by the Emperiall law : he was with-
in 5. myles when this newes cam from him, and the
generall opinion is that the citty dares not refuse his first
somons.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
2b Aw very louinge coasen Mr. John Winthrop at the MaUachusetts,
these cUr in New England,
CosEN Winthrop, — I am very glad to heare of your
health and welfare, and well likinge of the plantation.
Though the tyme be soe busie with me, and that I had
* Maiy Stuart, daughter of Charles I., afterwards wife of William, Prince of Orange,
and mother of William III., King of Great Britain. — Eds.
t The word in brackets is imperfectly erased. — Eds.
40* THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1^32.
but a very shorte warninge of this shipps suddaine goe-
inge, yet I chose rather to write a little, then not at all,
and being tired out in writinge to your father, I was glad
to haue helpe to write vnto you.*
I thanke you for your advice about my cattell, I cannot
here prouide such seruants as I would, of a sodaine, there-
fore for the present I haue agreed with Mr. Dillingham to
take my cattell and keepe them, winter and sommer, for
the third of the increase, yet with this condition the bar-
gaine is made, that vnlesse my brother Winth: doe ap-
proue thereof, its not to stand ; and for my swyne I was
to haue of Mr. Allerton, being 4 sowes, Mr. Dillingham
will fetch them and put them out, to be kept for me, for
halfes. Concerning myne owne particular account with
my brother Winthrop, I must needs referre it to my next
writinge, for I haue bin all this sommer in the contrie,
and came home but iust to the Terme, and did not dreame
of this sodaine going of this shipp, but made account to
haue had tyme to consider thereof after this terme. But
conceminge my brother Winth : monies receiued by me, I
haue here inclosed sent you the true accompt, of the last
lOOli paid by Mr. Warren, I directed my brother Kirby to
receiue 500/i, because of his better leisure then myne, for
the paying out of the same, accordinge to your occasions,
which you may perceiue by the accompt, for a good parte
of it is made by him, the rest is laid out by my selfe.
As concerning Mr. GofFe, he refuseth to receiue his
monie according to my brothers last direccions, sayeing
there is much more due vnto him. I praye send me ouer
this acquittance signed and sealed by your father and
yourselfe, with whome I am in parte agreed. flFor my
Sonne James, I am sorrye to see that he writes a worse
hand, and more nonsence, in his last letters, then in the
* Downing appears to havo employed an amanuensifl in writing this letter. —Eds.
1632.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 40^
letters I receiued a yeare since. I doubt there is noe
hope of his attaininge to any learning, therefore if he hath
a mind to husbandry, or may be fitt to truck, and playe
the marchant, and his likinge stand there vnto, I would
gladly know it, that accordingly he might spend his tyme
therein, for I thinke the tyme lost that he goes to schoole,
and therefore take him from schoole, and let my brother
Winthrop ymploye him as his seruant, as he shall thinke
fitt. I sent my brother Winthrop a letter, written at the
Hage from the Germane lately come from you ; * by Mr.
Humfryes conveyance. I sent my brother Winthr: a
staffe with a rapier in it, and a pistoll you left behind, by
Mr. Winslowe.
The Plymouth trucking howse that was robbed was
done, not by the French, but by some English, theire
names I knowe not Conceminge the keepinge of your
cattell in the winter, I suppose, had you vnderwoods, as
we haue in England, you should need howse none but
such as you would vse about your house for milke.
I haue written to my brother Gostlyn to prouide you
menSand maid seruants against the springe. My brother
Gostl : I suppose cannot come ouer this yeare, neither is
his wife willinge, vntill he hath prouided a stock of
cattelL
The cloth you desire from him will not be sent vntill
the springe, neither could it be made ready against this
shipps going, for we had scarce a weeks warninge of it.
flFor Newes ] Sergeant Finch, Recorder of London, is
dead, and Mr. Littleton in his place. Judge Haruie and
Judge Whitlock are dead, and Sir Robert Bartlet and Ser-
geant Crawley in theire places. Sir Thomas Wentworth,
the President of Yorke, is going Deputie into Ireland,
where Sir Franc : Angier is lately dead, and one Mr. Rat-
• Probably JoUt WeUlust, the Sarveyor>f Ordnance of the MassachosetU Colony,
(1630 and 1681), who returned to Germany in July, 1632. — Eds.
40** THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1632.
cliff of Grayes Inn, a kinsman of the Deputy, is named to
be Master of the Roles there: my father in lawe. Sir
James Ware * is lately dead. We haue had here a very
ynseasonable cold summer, soe that the come in the north
parts did hardly ripen this yeare. About Whitsontide last
there was many sore stormes, whereby many sheepe and
lambs were killed. The Staffordshire men doe very
much complaine of the vsuall buminge heath, growing
and not cut downe, in theire contrie, alledginge that it is
the cause of much raine amongst them ; and if there come
a parliament they intend to preferre a bill to preuent the
buminge of theire contrie in that kinde.
I haue sent you some bookes of newes, I would haue
sent you more, but that by direction from the Lords, the
printers were restrayned from printinge any more.
In the Lowe Contries there is great hope that the States
of Holland wilbe lords ouer the 1 7 Prouinces very shortly,
for diuerse Lords and Townes haue revolted from the
Kinge of Spaine, and joyned themselues to the States;
ffor the Kinge of Spaine will not be able to maintaine
his warre there ; being depriued of his wonted pasAiges
through Germany and France.
The Kinge of Spaine, as is generally beleiued, stands
nowe at a lower ebb then when Q : Elizabeth dyed ; his
* Sir James Ware, who (we thus loam for the first time) was tlie father of Emanuel
Downing's first wife, was knighted by James I., and was a member of the Irish Parlia-
ment in 1618. He married Mary, the sister of Sir Ambrose Briden of Maidstone, Kent
His eldest SOD, Sir James, was the author of Works coocemlug Ireland (translated and pub-
lished in two folio volumes by Walter Harris, Dublin, 1764), which secured him the title
of the Irish Camden. He was one of the Privy Council in 1680, and declined a peerage
before his death in 1666. (Sir James Ware's Works conceming Ireland, vol. ii., second
part, p. 148; Thane's British Autography, vol. ii. p. 88.) Downing's children by his
first wife, Anne Ware, were James, Mary, Susan, and perhaps Anne ; Sir George being
the eldest child of his second marriage in 1622. The following entry in the Parish
Register of the church of St. Lawrence, in Ipswich, Suffolk County, England (furnished
us, while these pages are going through the press, by our Corresponding Member, Mr. H.
G. Somerby), seems to fix the date and place of Emanuel Downing's own birth, unless
there were two of the same name and period : " 1686, Emanuell the sonne of George
Downing, bapt. ye 1 of January." George, the father, describes himself in his will,
proved 3d October, 1611, as a schoolmaster of Ipswich. — Eds.
1632.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 40*
necessities hath put him vpon strainge exegents for monie ;
the Spanish Inquisicion hath seised vpon many rich men,
and burnt them for Heritiques, whereby theire Kinge hath
gott all theire estate : the Kinge hath alsoe seised vpon
the treasure and plate of diuerse manasteries in Spaine, to
support him in his warrs.
The Kinge of Sweden goes on very prosperously, and
carries all before him in Germany : there is newes lately
come that he hath ouer throwne the Duke of 'Fridland,
the Emperours Generall, which if it be true, he will make
a shorte worke of the warrs in Germany.
You haue a litle bird in your contrie that makes a hum-
minge noyse, a little bigger then a bee, I pray send me
one of them ouer, perfect in his fethers, in a little box.
I praye excuse me for not writinge to my cosen Dudly,
and thanke him for his kind letter. Remember my loue
to his father and mother, himselfe and his wife, my cosen
Feaks and his wife, Mr. Pincheon, Mr. Wells, Mr. Wilson
and theire wiues, and I pray tell James D. that he writt
such a scriblinge nonsence letter, that I am ashamed to
answere it Thus with my harty loue to yourselfe and
your good wife, I take leaue and rest
Your very louing vncle Em: Downinge.
NoUEMBES the Txi^ 1632.
Mall remembers her to you and* your wife, and her
cosen Feaks, and her cosen Dudly, and his vnfe ; soe doth
the scribe.*
Indorsed by J. Winthrop, Jr., " My vncle Downinge. Reed. Feb : 23 :
1623." [32]
*^ These letters per the ship, Mr. Trevore, master, Mr. Hatherly,
merchant, arrived at New-Plymouth."
* The scribe was eyidently Edward Howes, many of whose own letters to John Win-
throp, Jr., will be found in the latter part of this volume. — Eds.
40/ THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1633.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
lb his very huinge cosen Mr. John WirUhrop at the MaUachuaetts
in New England these dlr.
My good Cosen, — fFor want of other matter to write
of, I thought fitt to put you in mind of your promise that
you would see vs againe within a yeare ; and now I must
tell you that it were good you did come if you expect your
hundred pounds from my brother Paynter,* for I doe not
perceive that they make account to paye it ; and if you
come you may see your father's busines setled with Mr.
Tindall ;t who as I heare hath purchased some land, to the
value of about three score pounds a yeare, at Codenham
in Suff: nowe if my sister likes well of her beinge in
New England, I knowe noe reason whie she should desire
to laye out monie vpon any more land here; being soe
remote from that place where she meanes to settle herselfe
and her posteritie ;* should I come & line there, as I <}esire
to doe if God lend me life and health, I should not wish to
haue any of my estate remayninge here ; but herein I must
check myself, in that I giue councell and advice before I
am called thereto; howe soeuer I should be glad these
occasions might caifse you to make a visit of vs here ;
for many of your frinds would be glad to see you, which
• Rev. Henry Painter, of Exeter, one of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, 1644-5
had married the widow of Thomas Fones, whose first wife was a sister of Got. Wiothrop
and of Emanuel Downing*8 wife. He is thus called " my brother Paynter " by Downing.
— Eds.
t Deane Tindal, Esq., son of Sir John Tindal, knight, and brother of Margaret Win-
throp, the wife of the Governor, who followed him to New England. Governor Winthrop
says, in a will drawn up in 1639, but which was revoked in 1641, " For my dear wife, who
hath been a faithful help to me, though / Ufi an estaie for her in England^ &c.** This
estate was left in the charge of her brother Deane, to whose investment of it Downing
here refers. — Eds.
1633.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 41
would be a meanes to encourage some to remouc hence
to your plantation, It would be noe disadvantage to you
for you to spend a winter here, when as you may
retome the begininge of the springe : Soe for this tyme
with my loue to your selfe and your wife, my cosen
Feakes and his wife, my cosen Dudley and his wife, Mr.
Dudley, Mr. Pincheon & Mr. Nowell ; Mr. Wells and
Mr. Wilson, Mr Collier, Mr. Staughton & Mi*. Samford,
I take leaue and rest
Your very louinge vncle
The 18th of June 1633. Em: DowNIKGE.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his verie louinge nephew Mr. John WlrUhrop the yonger at
Boston in ye Mattachusetts Bay in New England these cUr.
Giue these letters to Richard McAndrew,
My good Cosen, — I haue written thrice to you since
I had any passage thence, except those drowned letters
which came per Mr. Pierse. By this shipp I sent your
father ouer a furnace for brewinge or boylinge salt or sope
&c. Since the shippinge thereof I haue caused another
to be made which Sir K. Saltonstall, hath bought on me,
for the price I paid the workeman, but he should not haue
had the same, had he not promised to send it to the
plantation ; which accordingly he hath done. No we had
I knowne the ship would haue stayed soe longe at Graues
end I would haue assigned this to you and let him had the
other. I haue promised Sir R: you shall direct his man
howe you shall vse it, which he needed not haue requested
from me, for that I knowe you would most redily haue
yeilded therevnto of your selfe. I shall desire much to
heare that you doe hitt right in the vse of it I haue
scene the tryall of it here both with seacoale & charcoales,
therefore I doubt not but you will fall vpon the true
practise of it.
6-
42 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1635.
Our frinds at Groton and Chensey are all well; our
Bishop of London is made Bishop of Canterbury ; it is not
yet knowne who shall be of London.
What course you wUl take for your 2001. due vnto you
from my brother Painter, though I heare some tymes from
him, yet I heare not a worde of any such monie to be due
vnto you. Tis longe since we heard from you. See
desiring good news thence with my daylie prayers for
you & yours with my loue to yourselfe & your good wife
I take leaue and rest Your louinge vncle
The 13th of Aug. 1633. Em: DowNINGE.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.*
2b Ms loving Cosen John Winthropj Esqr. at Mr. OosUins in
Oroion haU, SuffdOce. dd.
My good Cosen, — Mr. Sheapheard was with me yeas-
terday, to enquire of your estate, whereof I could give him
noe accoimt, he prayed me to write vnto you thereof, and
desires that you would retome an answeare thereto this
weeke, if you come not your selfe speedyly back: he
would know your present estate in possession, and what
in future you expect from your father, for this wilbe
demanded of him, before he can conclude any thinge for
you. And yts good reason you should satisfie him herein,
because noe man that knowes you not, will parte with his
child, till he know how shoe shall be provided for to live
in the world.
This day my brother Kirby cam to me to tell me that
Mr. Atwood the leather seller was with him, to give him
notice that you should walk waryly and close because there
* John Wiothrop, Jr., was at this date in England. His name, and that of Elizabeth,
his second wife (whom he married while abroad), are entered ** 10th July," 1685, as having
embarked in the ''Abigail.** They arriyed in October, **ten weeks from Plymouth.'*
Elizabeth was daughter of Edmand Reade, Esq., of Wickford, Co. Essex, whose widow
married Hugh Petor, and whoso third son, Col. Thomas Reade, commanded a regiment in
the civil wars, and was associated with Gen. Monk at the Restoration. — Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 43
be some that laye wayte to attach you. Mr. Winsloe lyes
still in prison, and is like soe to continew, for I doe not
heaie when the lords will nieete againe for plantation
buisines.
I do heare there will goe at least 20 ships this yeare
to the plantation, there is one at the Customes howse
apoynted to receive Certificates and give discharges to all
such as shall goe to the plantation, some that are goeing
to New England went to him to know what they should
doe, he bad them bring him any Certificate from IVIinister,
ChArch wardens or Justice, that they were honest men
and he would give them theire pass ; they asked him what
subsedy men should doe, he answeared that he could not
tell who were subsedy men, and would discharge them
vpon theire Certificates ; soe with my love to yourselfe my
brother Gostlyn and his wife I rest. Yours whilest I am
25 Mtu, 1635. Em. Downinge.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To my verie loving Oosen John Winthrqp, the yonger^ esqr. ai
Boston — dlr.
My good Cosen, — I haue received 3 letters from you,
the first of the 9th of 9ber, thother 2 of the 12 and 15 of
Januar. Thanks be to God for your safe arivall after soe
tedious a passadgc. I hartilye thank you for the kynde
oflferr of your howse, but because I cannot yet resolve of
my coming this yeare I pray dispose of yt to your best
advantadge. I am advised not to make choyse of any
place for my selfe vntill I come there. I haue sent you
butter, suett and other things, by this shipp, for the par-
ticulars thereof I refer you to my wives letters. Sir Arthur
Hesilrigg refuseth to deall for Capten Endicotts howse,
because as he sayth the merchants telleth liim, the howse
is theirs, and built with theire monie &c. as I wrote vnto
44 THE WINTHROP FAFEBS. [1636.
himselfe. Your mother Peters hath paid me 40Z, which I
haue laid out for you and almost as much more : shee en-
tends to pay you the rest soe soone as shee can possiblic,
which I feare wilbe nere Christide ere shee can performe yt.
I perceive shee stands verie well affected to you, but as yet
cannot doe as shee would for you.
I hartyly thank you for the manie good directions
in your letters to me. And for my brother Gostlyn if
possiblye I can I will helpe him over; and the rather
because his goeing may cause my wife more willinglie to
listen therevnto. Shee feareth much hardshipp there, knd
that wee shall spend all, ere wee be setled in a course to
subsist even for foode and rayment. I pray in your next
write hir some encouradgement to goe hence vnto you.
Tom Goade sent his letters out of Spayne which I haue
received and delivered, but himselfe is gone with that
shipp into the Streights, soe I hope he will prove a Sea man.
Ben Gostlyn is like to prove a proper Sea man, he is
retomed out of the streights and gone to Sea againe, his
master vseth him like a sonne, and the youth would not
change his course of life for any other. So soone as he
shalbe out of his tyme, he entends to see New England.
Having written more at lardge to my brother Winthrop
whereto I refer you, with my love to your selfe and second
selfe, leaving you and your occasions to the blessing of our
good God I rest
Yours assured Em: Downinge.
lo Mabtu 1635.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
My good Cosen, — Yours of the 24 of 8ber last I re-
ceived, and doe hartily thank you for your relation of
Connecticott, but you wrote not, where your selfe entend
to setle. ffor your Account the last yeare I laid for you as
I then wrote, 103Z. Is. 2d. whereof I received last yeare of
1636.] THE WIKTHROP PAPERS. 45
Dr. Reade 50Z, of my brother Gostlyn 21 more, since of Dr.
Reade 50/. In all 102/. Soe there rests me vpon that ac-
count 1/. Is. 2d. ffor your tooles sent no we by Mr. Peirce,
my brother Kurby had monie from me to pay for them, who
I suppose sends you an account thereof, but I haue not
yet received from him the particular charge thereof.
Mrs. Peters [when] shee went into Holland, apoynted
Dr. Read to pay me 50/ for you, but he now telleth, he
cannot receive yt, soe I beleive your mother will take
order for your satisfaction when shee retornes, whom I
expect here this moneth.
Sir Mathew Bo)Titon telleth me that he entends to pay
30/ for you at Whitsontyde next
ffor newes I referr you to Mr. Peirce who knowes how
all things goe here. Germanie is now become a most
desolate wildemes : there be manie townes beautifull for
buildings, but neither man woeman nor child in them: they
fynd, as pass by, goodly and rich wanscott roomes, with
tables, cubbards, and bedsteads standing in them, which
they bume, or sett an howse on fyre to dresse theire meate,
and leave yt burning next day when they departe. The
country doth soe swarme with Ratts which goe in such
troops as would fright a man to meet them;
The Emperour, the French King and King of Spayne
are making great preparation for warrs each against the
other. The Sweades haue taken all Saxonie, the Duke is
in a Castle beseidged by the Sweeds where tis thought, he
cannot scape. Thus with my love to your selfe, your good
wife, Mr. Peters, &c. I leave you and your aflFaires to the
blessing of the Almighty and rest your assured loving
vnckle Em: Downinge.
2 Mtu 1636.
You are to pay your flFather W: 105. for the Cur rail
which I putt into his account before I vnderstood yt was
for you.
46 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
ffor my brother Winthrop.
Loving brother, — Yours of the 29 oif June, the 4 of
August, and the 24 of 8ber. I haue received this yeare,
and paide all your bills except Mr. Harts who is dead, and
his executours haue not yet demaunded the monie. Mr.
Lucy who imployed Mr. Hart sent to me for the monie,
my answeare was that if Mr. Lucy would give me his bond
to dischardge you from Harts executours I would then pay
yt to him ; the messenger said, I should haue it, but I never
heard more of him. I haue hereinclosed sent your account
Whereas you write that you entend to sell of my oxen and
some other male catle, I pray sell what you please and pay
your selfe for my childrens being with you.
My Ant Branch is lately dead.
I hartilye thank you for your lardge Information of the
state of the plantation ; I was the other day with Secretarie
Coke who told me that there hath not ben a word of your
plantacon at Councell board these manie moneths past
The 4th of 9ber last at night here was great thunder
and lightning, with soe terrible a storme that manie
steeples and Churches were beaten downe and verie manie
bowses and trees blowne vp by the rootes, in divers parts
of this kingdome.
The Archbishops officers are now in visitation in Essex,
on fFriday last they began at Brentwood, where ^t was de-
clared to the ministers that eurie on must reade the Kings
declaration concerning the Saboth days recreations, or,
at the moneths end, be deprived.
The Lord Maior sent his officers to most of the cheife
familyes of the Citty to give them warning to kepe the
ffasts, Lent, Ember weeks, and the Vigills.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 47
I was at Mr. Rogers* of Dedham his funeral], where
there were more people than 3 such Churches could hold :
the gallery was soe over loaden with people that it sunck
and crackt and in the midle where yt was Joynted the
tymbers gaped and parted on from an other soe that there
was a great cry in the Church: they vnder the gallery
fearing to be smothered, those that were vpon yt hasted
of, some on way some an other, and some leaped downe
among the people into the Church : those in the body of
the Church seing the tymbers gape were sore afrighted,
but yt pleased God to honour that good man departed
with 4 miracle at his death, for the gallerie stood and the
people went on againe, though not so manie as before ;
had yt fain as blackfi7ars did vnder the popishe assem-
bly, yt would haue ben a great wound to our religion.
Our freinds in Suffolk, Essex and London are all in health.
The name of a CoUedge in your plantation would much
advantadge yt considering the present distast against our
vniversityes, you need not stay till you haue CoUedges to
lodge schoUars, for if you could but make a combination
of some few able men, ministers or others to read certeyne
lectures, and that yt were knowne here amongst honest
men, you would soone haue students hence, and Incou-
radgement to proceed further therein. What great burthen
would yt be to a Minister for the present (till you haue
meanes and be better supplyed with schoUars) once a week
for a moneth in eurie quarter to reade a logick, greke or
hebrew lecture or the like.
Thus with my love to your selfe, my sister and all yours
&c of my freinds in the plantation, with my dayly prayers
for you and yours with the prosperity of the whoU plan-
tation, I rest your assured loving brother
Em. Downing k.
6 Martij — 1636.
* Rev. John Rogers, of Dedhain, died Oct 8, 1636. — Eds.
48 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the Honourable his verie loving brother John Winthrop Gover-
nour of the Maasachvsetta in New England.
Good brother, — Its noe small comfort to me that I
haue hope ere long to enioy your Companie, I purpose
God willinge to sett forth hence in the begynning of Aprill
at furthest and to take your soime hence with me.
ffor my provision of Come I purpose to buy yt there.
If you feare the rising of the prise, I pray buy some for
me and promise payment in money at my Landing. . Here
hath been great Joy for your great victories but farr more
for vanquishing your erronious opinions then for conquer-
ing the Pequoits. Our best and worthyest men doe much
mervile you did not banish Whee[l]wright and Hutchinsons
wife, but suffer them to sowe more sedition among you:
Mr. Vanes ill behaviour there hath lost all his reputation
here. I heare he is about to travaile into Germanic.
The Nobility, gentry and Comons of Scotland are in
Confederatie and combyned soe strong togeather that they
will admitt of noe Conformity to our good Bishop's orders,
they haue throwne out the holy booke of Comon prayer,
beaten theire Bishops and tome theire sirplisses of the
backs of the Ministers, and manie more outrages in this
kinde wee heare of dayly.
The Dutch haue taken in Breda.
In August last Mr. Tyndall paid me one hundreth pounds.
I follow your councell in coming to the bay before I
resolve where to pitche. I pray helpe me to hire or buy
some howse (soe as I may sell yt againe if I shall remove)
in some plantation about the Bay. Thus for present I
take leave and rest leaving you and your affayres to the
blessed protection of the Almighty.
Your assured louing brother Em. Downinge.
21. 9ber 1637.
1638.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 49
I can give noe answer to my Cosen Winthrop's letter
yet for his monie from the Lords.* I pray salute him and
all my freinds.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Tb his Honorable brother John Winthrop Esqr^ Governour at
Boston,
Sir, — I thanke you for my brother Kirbyes letter, but
before yt cam I had assigned him more raonie to serve his
teme, the 50/i I would exchange is of other monie, not
of any I expect to be in his hands. I am not willing to
send James of purpose about yt if I could other wise doe
yt, before the shipp goes hence.
I thanke you hartilye for your kynde Invitation, but I
hope there wilbe noe necessitye of my being there this
winter, there is more cause of your coming hither, where
I shall, God willing, acquaynt you with the secrets of ye
decoye, I pray resolue to come ere winter. I doe rest
vpon you for Wheat and Rye, about 30 bushells of Rye
and 10 bushells of Wheate. I pray let my Cosen Stephen
dispatch the perfecting of the accounts, and the remayne
I purpose to dischardge with ready monie. Soe desiring
the Good Lord to preserve you to length of dayes and
etemall Joy with my service to my sister and your selfe,
I rest Your verie louing brother
Salem 22 October, 1638. Em: DowninGE.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his much honored brother John Winthrop Govemourj dlr.
Boston.
Sir, — I blesse God for his tender care of vs in preserv-
ing yours and myne in health and peace in these Infectious
* The Lord Say and Seale and the Lord Rrookf of whose Connecticut Colony the
yoQiiger Winthrop waa the Governor. — Eds.
50 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1638.
and stormie seasons. My Cosen Peter told me, this after-
noone, that there was not one sick in Salem, the Good
Lord graunt vs thankfull hearts, as for this soe for all
other his favours to vs. Mr. Ballard of Sagus lyeth verie
sick of the pox. I found my sawes in a long Chest among
other things, the bundle of Sawes you sent me are not
myne, I wishe the owner had them.
fFor Mr. Cooke, I, having noe other buisines to the Court,
am loath to make a Jorney of purpose, therefore my hope
is my Cosen St[ephen] Winthrop having a letter of Attor-
nie will prosecute yt for me ; If he goes for Bermodas I
must fynde out some other freind that will doe yt for me.
I haue soe manie things to retome thanks for as I know
not where to begyn, they deserue more then words, my
hart is more willing to requitall then opportunity or abilitj'e
can afoard, as an Indian said, Comand me great things to
the height of my strength, &c. I pray remember my ser-
uice with manie thanks to my sister, and soe with my love
to all yours & Mr. Harrison with my dayly prayers for
your prosperous condition in soule, body and all your
affaires, I rest
Your assured loving brother whilest I am
Em: Downinge.
25. 10. 1638.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his much honored brother John Winthrop Oovernour.
Sir, — I thanke you for your kynde letters, which I
reseived yeasterday. I feare not the coming of shipps
vnto vs, because I know it will not be in the power of any
mortall man, (though as malitious as the Divill himselfe
against vs) to hinder them. I am much more troubled
that you write, how you are yet sometimes feverishe : I
pray be more watchfuU for your health, that you oppresse
not your bodye nor spirits with the publique affaires, but
1638.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 51
rather spare yourselfe a while that you may be the better
enabled for tyme to come ; cold and wett espetially of your
feet are two great traytors to your health, and must be
watched verie narrowly, verie narrowly : The good Lord
preserue you to vs, and I shall never feare foreigne maUce,
8oe long as the trew worship of God is by authority vpheld
amongst vs, for he is faythfuU and wilbe a sure rock of
defence to his beloved. Mr. Rogers hath an overture
of plantation betweene Newberry and Ipswich which I
feare wilbe streightned, betweene Ipswich and Newberry,
as Cambridge is by hir Neighbour townes ; Now at Salem
wee haue manie farmes to be sould, enough for all his
Companie, and the Towne desires much his joyning with
our pastor, he may also haue with vs a plantation by
himselfe, soe that I hope we shall keepe him here or at
Newberry. I pray present my service to my sister. Soe
with harty prayers for your health, desirous much to heare
of your perfect recouerie, I rest with manie thanks to
your selfe and my sister, which I owe for more then my
paper can hold,
Yours assured whilest I am
Em. Downinge.
2 Martu 1638.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
T^ his much Jionored brother John Winthrop, Oovemour.
Sir, — I retorne you manie thanks for your kynde letter
with a sorifull heart for my sisters sicknes. The good Lord
blesse and sanctifie yt vnto hir : though I should be verie
glad of my wives retorne, yet I dare not now call for yt.
I haue nought to write but of planting, sowing, posting,
rayling &c.
My Cosen P.* is constant to his dayly charge, soe that
* Hugh Peter. — Eds.
52 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1639.
all his freinds are resolved to leave him to his owne
way, yet blessed be God his preaching is verie profitable
and comfortable to all. I feare I shalbe disappoynted
of 30 bushells of Indian Come which I relyed on here,
I pray let me be soe bold with you as to know if I may
be supplyed thence ; soe with my service to your selfe
and my sister with harty prayers for hir health I rest
• Your assured loving brother Em: Downinge.
Salem 8. 2dL
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
\^Addrea9 deatroyedt except the word] " brothev,^^
Sir, — I haue deferred writing vnto you in hope to haue
ben at Boston ere this.
I remember when this plantation began, Mr. Isake
Johnson said more then once, that he was resolved to
spend and be spent in this buisines. What he then said
you haue effected. Now if the Country should fayle I
am confident the Lord will in his good tyme give meanes
of freedome out of all your cares and feares. I haue a
Cow Calfe at Mistick, I pray accept of yt, and were I
in monie as I haue ben, I should doe that would become
a loving brother. Job was raised to a full estate in this
way by his freinds, soe I conceiue tis a dutye and debt
the Countrye stands in to free you, and being a way of God
you may with comfort accept yt ; how ever the Country
may deale with you, I pray doe not you nor my sister
oppresse your spiritts herewith, but wayte with cheerfull
patience on the Lord, who alone can and ordinarily doth
bring good out of evill, and, confident I am, he will in his
owne way and tyme performe yt to you.
I know not how the buisines stands for Mr. Eaton's
debts, whither I must loose that lOli or no. I am not
willing to trouble you therein. I pray speake to my Cosen
1639.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 53
Stephen to looke after yt for me. Soe craving pardon for
this boldnes with my love and service to yourselfe and my
sister, I rest Your assured loving brother whilest I am
• Em : Down INGE.
Sjllru 9. 11. 39.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his ever Honored brother John Winthrop, Oovernour.
Sir, — I doe retoume you manie thanks for your kynde
letter of the 13th of this Instant, and doe blesse God for
the continewance of health to you and yours, and doe
much reioyce in this, that the Lord hath enabled you with
patience and chearfulnes to beare your burthen, he knowes
well what service you haue done for his people and
Churches here. He hath promised requitall for a cup
of cold water given to any of his. I need not tell you of
his riches, ability and faythfulnes in the performance of his
word and promises to the meanest of his servants, nor of
his trew and tender lov.e vnto you ; soe that I am assured
he will repaire and fully repay all your losse, costs and
charges spent in his service. I pray be confident hereof
and doe him that right, in being as chearfull and contented
now as when you had the world most at comand ; and soe
with pardon for my boldnes and faythfuU service to my
good sister and your selfe, I rest
Your assured loving brother whilest I am
Em: Downinge.
24. 12. 39.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Sir, — I thanke you for your loving letter and doe blesse
God for peace and health to you and yours. I am confi-
dent you having spent your selfe and estate in this honour-
able ser\dce ; that yt will redounde to your greater creditt
and honour with God and man, then if you had gayned
54 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [IWO.
riches as other Governours doe, both in Virginea and els-
where, and yt will rise vp in Judgement against extorting
Governours that shalbe set over the people in succeed-
ing generations, when your selfe shalbe at rest reaping
the fruits of your present labours.
The noate that Edward Dillingham gave you, I never
saw yt, I pray therefore take his affidavit : yt had ben done
here if wee could haue mett with Mr. Endicott, who is
much trobled with a cough and cold and cannot be at
this Court. He remembereth his trew love and service to
your selfe and my sister.
I cannot leave my wife now to attend Dillingham's bui-
sines and I feare if I should haue ben there, the tryall
would be putt of with one devise or other because I did
not serve Mr. Saltonstall and his partner to the Court If
he can he will keepe Dillingham from you. I pray keep
the affidavit or send yt me for I can depose he would
haue sworne to yt if we could haue founde Mr. Endicott.
Yeasterday my wife was in a feavor, this day she is pretyly
well, so with my service to your selfe, my sister, and all
yours I rest Your verie loving brother
Em: Downinge.
2, 1. 39.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his much honored brotJier John Winthrop, OovernouVy Boston,
Sir, — This day I had a meeting with Mr. Saltonstall
about Dillinghams buisines, and chardging him with your
noate sent me into England : he said there was deliured
James Luxford 20 Cowes, whereas your noate doth men-
tion but 15, soe it was conceived that Dillingham or
Luxford should deceive me of 5 Cowes, but after they were
gone I founde Luxfords noate of my Catle he deliuered
me, which doth mention 19, soe there is but one wanting.
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 55
which (if he did not deliver James Luxford) Mr. Saltonstall
must pay me for : I haue sent my man of purpose with
these notes which I pray retome by him againe. Dil-
lingham wilbe with you to-morow of purpose to cleare
himselfe of these 5 Cowes : if yt shall appeare that
Luxford hath cosened you and me of that one Cowe which
is yet wanting, let yt never trouble you. That you may
vnderstand how 20 Cowes should be deliuered to Luxford,
the accoimt is thus, viz : In May 1633 there were deliuered
to DiUmgham
9 Milch cowes ^
2 heifers / 18] Of these 18 there dyed 2, soe
7 Cow calves ) there remayned 16.
of these there was the first yeare with Dillingham 9 calves,
5 cow calves, 4 bull calves.
In June 1636 DUlingham deliuered as he saith 4 of the
said 5 Cow calves, with the former 16 being then growne
to be Cowes, in all 20 Cowes to James Luxford, who ac-
counted to me as per his noate appeareth for 19. Soe
there wants but one of this reckoning, but manie more are
wanting to me of Dillingham's account which he said did
dye and were killed by woolves &c. I doubt I must come
to a Jury at Boston with Mr. Saltonstall at last, he con-
fesseth he hath 100 It left of Dillinghams in his hands
to satisfie me if neede be, and that there is almost as much
more leyable to my satisfaction elswhere. Wee parted
verie good freinds after all our debate of the buisines, soe
for this tyme being over troublesome, with my service to
your selfe and my good sister, I rest
Your verie loving brother Em: Downinge.
10. 1. 1640.
My wife and sonne John present theire service now
being all in health, blessed be God.
56 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his Honourable brotlier John Winthrop, Govemour,
Sir, — I praise God my wife had a good day to retome
home, but yeasterday shoe was as ill. Last night shee slept
prety well, and is chearly this morning, the Good Lord
open our eares to heare his rod speaking vnto vs.
I thanke you hartily for the spade, Daniell playd the
foole to aske yt, having enough to serve our tomes, yt was
putt a shore, but in theire hast coming home, I suppose tis
lost, for I cannot heare of yt.
I haue not yet had tyme to speake with my wife scarce
about my seuerall occassions in the Bay, as flax seed, hemp.
Come &c. which I must referr to the next, the boate being
vnder Saile. Soe with harty thanks for your great and vn-
deserued love vpon euerie tome manefesting yt selfe with
my service to your selfe, my sister &c. I rest
Your assured whilest I am Em : Downinge.
15. 2.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Sir, — I haue here in Salem a desire to match my sonne
James to a maide that lives in Mr. Endicotts howse : hir
sister is maryed here, who sayes the mayd was left to
hir dispose by hir parents, but they dying intestate, the
administration and tuition of the maide was by the Court
comitted to Mr. Hathome, Mr. Batter* and Goodman
Scrugs,* and to helpe Mr. Endicott with some present
monie, you wrote to Mr. Hathorne to putt hir to Mr. Endi-
cott to board, who therevpon received 40/i aforehand for
2 yeares. I haue moved Mr. Hathorne, and Mr. Batter
* Probably Edmund Batter and Thomas Scruggs. — Eds.
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 57
for my sonne, who are well pleased therewith. I purposed
to haue acquaynted Mr. Endicott therewith, but that a
freind in great secrecye told me that Mr. Batter had in my
sonnes behalfe told yt to Mr. Endicott, and as Mr. Endi-
cott said to my good freind Mr. Hathome that he had the
wholl dispose of the maid, and would provide a better
match for hir, Mr. Hathome answered him that- they the
ffeoflFes were trusted with the person and the estate vntill
the maid should be of yeares to dispose of hir selfe, which
said he, that shee now was of full yeares to dispose of hir
selfe, being past 16, for shee is about 17 yeares of age;
then Mr. Endicott replyed that he would write to the
Gouemour and your selfe about yt. Mr. Hathorne desires
not to be knowne of this councell revealed to me &c. I
should first haue advised with Mr. Endicott in this, but his
freinds desired he should not yet be acquaynted therewith,
nor now vntill I heare an answeare from yourselfe, and
the Govemour, that the Maide be left to hir owne dispose
or the flFeofFees to whom before hir full age shee did ap-
perteyne. I pray let me be beholding to you to acquaynt
the Govemour herewith with my humble dutye to him,
that he may doe me right and answer Mr. Endicott with-
out oflFence that the mayde is of full age, but I leaue the
matter and manner myselfe and all to your better Judge-
ment, submitting wholly to the will of God herein. I
desire much to see the yssue hereof and to match some of
my elder Children because some, thinke me to blame that
none of them are disposed of. I have provided a verie
good match for my neice, Nab. Goade ; he is old Moulton
his only sonne, a member of our Church, of 4 or 500/i
estate: if my sonns buisines proceede I may about a moneth
hence haue both couples maried on a day.
I feared the losse of your accounts which my wife now
hath found, being in hir custodye, I purpose now accord-
ing to promise send in my next the abstract thereof, that
you may vnderstand how yt is betweene vs. I pray let
8
58 THE WIXTHROP PAPERS. [1641.
my Cosen Stephen take a receipt of Mr. Treasurrer vpon
deliuerie of the 40 bushells of Come for viij /* in parte of
the rate of Salem, for myne owne parte thereof comes to
but 4/i 10^. Soe with my humble service to yourselfe and
my good sister I rest Your assured loving brother
Em: Downinge.
20. 11. 40.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO HUGH PETER.
To his verie loving Cosen Mr, Peter at Boston dlr.
My good Cosen, — Vnderstanding you were resolued
to goe by water into the Bay or at least to the shippe, I
sent my wife yeasterday with my cosens, purposing my
selfe to haue accompanied you by water to the shippe, but
though you haue altered your Course and prevented me
and some others, yet shall my hart and prayers euer attend
you, early and late, at sea and at land, in the Court and in
the Countrie vntill you retome againe vnto vs. Remember
my service to Mr. Weld and Mr. Hibbons, whom I had
embraced on Shipboard, had you not thus stoUen from vs.
The Bishop caused a Quo Warranto to be sued forth in
the King's Bench against our Patentees, thinking to damme
our patent, and put a generall Gouernour ouer vs, but
most of them that appeared I did advise to disclayme,
which they might safely doe, being not sworne Magistrats
to goveme according to the patent ; and these Magistrats
which doe governe among vs being the only parties to the
patent were never summoned to appear. Therefore if
there be a Judgement given against the patent, its false
and erroneous and ought to be reversed, with a motion in
the Kings benche without any long suite by writt of Error
may set right againe. Farewell my deare Cosen, Soe
wishing you a prosperous Jorney and safe retome I rest
yours assured whilest I am Em. Downinge.
Salem 5th day morning.
1644.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 59
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his honored Cosen John Winthropj Esqr. — [tttrn.']
[a few lines destroyed.'^ • • • • •
to be soe full [half a line defaced^ uld nothing furthei, or hinder
your sale with them as the case stands.
My Sonne is not yet retomed from Ipswich whom I
expect eurie Qijowre and soe haue done these 3 dayes ; If
you goe for England before yt be done,* yet I will if God
permitt pursue yt to the vtmost, and send per the next
shippe, that you may receive your monie of his ffather.
My deare and hartye beloved Cosen if I see you not
before you goe, yet know you carrye my hart and true
affections with you, and shall count eurie day three, vntill
you retome againe. Reade and seall if you can my Cosen
Peters letter before you deliuer yt. Soe wishing you a
prosperous Jorney and safe retome I rest
Your assured loving vnckle Em: Downinge.
8alem 29 July, 1641.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To hi^ Jionored Cosen John Winthrop Esqr, at TenhiUs.
Ever honored Cosen, — I blesse God I cam safe to
London ; where I founde a most miserable distracted state,
as you will vnderstand by bookes and passengers ; I haue
satisfied your Cosen Parkes concerning Roger and theire
owne Children.
I delivered your letter to Mris. Hill at the Mayden head
in wood street, Mr. Hill was not at home, according
my promise to hir I purpose to visit them some tymes.
I dyned there to day in hope to haue mett hir husband.
* John Winthrop, jr., sailed from Boston, Aug. 3. with Peter, Welde, and Hibbins. — Eds.
60 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1644.
Shee thinks hir husband will not only release the debt
but send you alsoe some comodityes for a portion to
advance the elder mayde in raarriadge.
I haue spoken with Mr. Waring concerning the 2
children and that he should release your debt towards
your chardge about them, he seemed willing thereto, and
said he would give order to Mr. Peters about yt, who is
now in the Countrye.
William Greenewood is dead. His sonne is come vp,
whom I should haue mett this day vpon the Exchange,
but I saw him not. Yts like wee may meet to morow
and end the buisines.
Since I began to write I heare that goodman Greenwood's
Sonne is gone into Suffolk, and meanes to come to me a
week or fortnight hence. Mr. Vincent hath not yet re-
solued what to do ; whither to take his monie or venture it
in the Ironworks. Mr. Thomas Warner was glad to heare
of your care to satisfie him with your Tobacco, and seing
yt was not your fault, yt shall not trouble him to stay till
we pay him here, which I purpose to doe if I can, other-
wise he will stay till you send yt.
Mr. Bond hath a mynde to the West Indyes, but is not
resolved. He once wished his monie againe with some
abatement, and when one of the Companie off red his monie,
he refused yt. I haue not yet receiued in your bond,
but shall haue yt.
Dr. Child purposeth to come over with me, and writes
by this shipp of all his owne affaires vnto you.
If my wife desires 40^ worth of Cloth let hir haue it or
somewhat more.
The vndertakers refuse to buy any land, vnles 2 or 3
acres to build the works vpon. I pray therefore keepe
Mr. Hutchinsons land for yourselfe or me, which I suppose
wee may improve to good advantage. There is of your
black leade sent into France and the lowe countries, when
I heare thence I shall know what to doe.
1644.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 61
The Adventurers in the Iron works haue agreed with
Mr. Leader to take care of theire works. You know the
man. He lived in Ireland, He is a perfect Accountant, hath
skill in mynes and tryall of mettalls, he hath covenanted
to serve them 7 yeares, his wages is lOOli per annum. He
is to haue passadge for himselfe, his wife, 2 children, 3
8er\'ants ; an howse to be built for him, and ground to be
allowed him for his horses and a few cowes. His 100/a
per annum begins the 25th of Marche next. When
I perceiued they were resolved vpon him; and that yt
would be noe advantage to you for me to haue expressed
my dislike of theire way herein, but haue putt more Jea-
losies into their heads of you ; and when they asked me
what I thought thereof, I answearcd that you had tra-
vayled from East to West, from North to South, sparing
noe costs or paynes for the discouerie of mynes and fitt
places for the erecting of Ironworks ; and how you obteyned
3000 acres of Boston, 1500 of Dorchester, wherein you haue
deserued well from them, and that there wilbe great neede
of your helpe though they send one never soe sufficient
for the worke, whereto they replyed that they resolved to
satisiie you for the tyme past, and to desire your assistance
for tyme to come. Then I told them I was well assured,
Mr. Leder should be a welcome man vnto you ; for at my
coming thence you expressed your desire to me that my
selfe or some other would vndertake the buisines ; then
Mr. Leder told them that he would not medle with any
vndertaking of theire buisines without your free consent
and contentment, for soe in private he had promised me
to expresse himselfe before them all, which he performed
verie honestly. Soe in the end wee concluded of a letter to
be sent vnto you vnder all our hands in way of thankfulncs
and engagement to give you satisfaction. I would haue
you demaund noe lesse then 150// per annum for these 3
yeares, because Mr. Folye told me when they were agree-
ing with Mr. Leder, they would haue giuen him 150/i per
62 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1644.
annum rather then to haue left him. And Mr. Folye said
further that the first 2 or 3 yeares would be more chardge-
able and paynfull then afterwards, and that there wilbe
dayly expence in enter teyning of workemen & others,
therefore if Mr. Leder had stood vpon yt, he might haue
had 150/i per annum. Concerning your bills of exchange
I deliuered only the bill of 1000/t, whereof, as you may
perceiue by theire letter, they entend to pay but 400/i, and
when they pay the monie they will haue a writing signed
betweene vs, to this purpose, that yf you shall not haue
laid out 400/i before our ship retomes, the rest is to be
repaid to Mr. Leder for the works in monie, and if there
shalbe more due to you vpon your account the same to be
paid with forbearance. I haue sent you lOOli worth of cloth
per Mr. Graves with the bill of particulars and cockett
hereinclosed, the chardges endorsed on the back of the bill.
I hope if the Lord sent yt safe you may with good content
make 30/i gayne ; I spoke for as much lynen cloth to haue
sent you by this ship, but the shipp was full laden before
I could gett yt readye. Soe with my seruice to your selfe
and your good wife, he dayly prayes for you and yours
who is and euer shalbe Your assured loving vnckle
whilest I am Em: Downinge.
London 25 ffebr. 1644.
I have sent you 2 bills of loading, one for the Cloath,
the other for a few things for ray wife. I pray receive
them out of the ship. The freight is paid.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his euer honored Cosen John Winthrop esqr at Ten hills nere
Boston,
Mt good Cosen, — I wrote you at lardge an account
of your buisines per Mr. Willoby. I haue not yet receiued
any monie for you. They haue promised the 400/i which
1645.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 63
I think they meane to pay shortlye, soe soone as they can
gett yt togeather ; Mr. Weld and I were agreed soe soone
as Mr. Graves shipp should be gone hence to cleare the
Account with Maior Boorne, but I am prevented by his
suddaine and vnexpected goeing away with Mr. Graves.
Mr. Bourne tould vs that he would be ready to goe with
vs in Mr. Andre wes shipp, soe that I much marveyled at
his goeing with -Mr. Graves, he having putt in his name
to be an vndertaker in Mr. Andrewes shippe. If there
shalbe any thing spoken or moved by him in the Court
concerning the Account, I pray procure a stay thereof till
I come, and soe for present I take leave and rest
Your verie loving vnckle Em : Downinge.
London this 3 of March 1644.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his euer honored Cosen John Winthrop Eaqr. at Mistick nere
Boston.
Ever honored Cosen, — I wrote at lar^ge per Mr.
Graves, which I hope you haue before the date hereof.
Therein I gave you to vnderstand, how the vndertakrs
haue chosen one Mr. Leader to take care and oversee the
Iron works. He was formerly imployed in Ireland about
mynes ; They give lOO/i per annum and beare the chardge
of his whoU famyly over. They would haue given 150/*
per annum to him rather then to haue left him ; they build
him an howse; when I perceived they were resolued vpon
him, they asked me what I thought of yt ; I answeared to
this purpose, that you would willinglie consent to yt ; for
as they would not neglect or slight, but acknowledge and
requite your great care, paynes, and charges spent about
the same, whereto they all fuUie agreed, and soe wrote
to you per Mr. Graves vnder all our hands. As then
64 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1645.
I wrote soe now I am of the same mjude that you may
haue 150K per annum allowed you, over and aboue your
disbursements vntill Mr. Leader shalbe invested therein.
Mr. Leader hath tryed your leade oare and fyndes yt to
be a silver myne, therefore I am resolued not to sell any
parte thereof.
I haue a friend preparing to come over with me, who
doth resolve to make a plantation by your myne, who hath
monie enough, and purposeth to improve some therein.
I referre you to my friends letter for all your other
buisines; The people generallie here now begjn to dis-
realishe the West Indyes (as I wrote to your ffather) and
tome theirc faces towards Xew England which is in
better creditt among all sorts and degrees then yt hath
ben for some yeares past. Manie ministers now begyn
againe to pray publicklye for yt.
The 20th of this moneth our shipp is to sett sayle,
the Good Lord graunt vs a prosperous passadge. Soe for
present with my loue to yourselfe your wife and yours I
rest Your lo\ing vnckle Em. Dowkinge.
London 5 May 1645.
7o Mau 1645.
This morning being at the Parliament howse I mett
with mv freind mentioned in this letter who desires to
plant nere your myne, who told me he could not be
ready to goe soe soone as our shipp ; but tould me, he
entended to hire a shipp for himselfe and famyly soe
soone as he should gett readye.
EM.\XU£L downing to JOHN WINTHROP.
Ih his ecer honored brother John Winthrop E;$qr at Boston.
Sir, — I hartvlve thank vou for vour kvnde letter and
• • • • •
newes therein.
1645.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 65
A warr with the Narraganset is verie considerable to
this plantation, fFor I doubt whither yt be not synne in vs,
hauing power in our hands, to suffer them to maynteyne
the worship of the devill which theire paw wawes
often doe; 21ie, If vpon a Just warre the Lord should
deliuer them into our hands, wee might easily haue men
woemen and children enough to exchange for Moores,
which wilbe more gaynefuU pilladge for vs then wee
conceive, for I doe not see how wee can thrive vntill
wee gett into a stock of slaves sufficient to doe all our
buisines, for our children's children will hardly see this
great Continent filled with people, soe that our servants
will still desire freedome to plant for them selues, and not
stay but for verie great wages. And I suppose you know
verie well how wee shall maynteyne 20 Moores cheaper
then one Englishe servant.
The ships that shall bring Moores may come home
laden with salt which may beare most of the chardge,
if not all of yt. But I marvayle Conecticott should any
wayes hasard a wanre without your advise, which they
cannot maynteyne without your helpe.
My wife hath ben pretilye of late, I wishe shee makes
hir selfe not sick againe by trjing new conclusions. I
pray hasten hir retorne, yt being the buisyest tyme of the
whoU yeare, for hay and harvest are both in hand, whereby
shee hath occasion of often riding, which I suppose the
best phisick for hir. Soe with my service to your selfe, my
Sister &c. I rest, Yours assured
Em: Downinge.
I pray remember my ser\ice to the Goucmor.*
* The date of this letter was probably daring the summer of 1645, when Dudley was
Govenior, and when there was danger of a war with the Narragonsetts. — Eds.
9
66 THE WI3STHR0P PAPERS. [1646.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his ever honored brother John Winthrop esqr Deputie Oovernour.
Sir, — I retome you manie thanks for your kinde letter
and newes. The Generall said, himselfe would retome
thanks m his letter. Mr. Norrice prayed me to remember
his service and love to you for the same. I haue neither
newes nor buisines to fill vp my letter.
fFor want of other matter give me leave to tell you
how our towne is much troubled for the putting out
of theire old Captane, wherevpon a day was appoynted by
Captane Hauthome for a new choyce at which tyme the
old Captane was chosen againe haueing almost 20 votes
more then the new. Both wilbe presented to the Court.
I am sorrye to heare of the continewance of the conta-
gious sicknes about you. I thank God wee are in health
here. The good Lord grant vs to vnderstand his mynde
thereby. Mr. Broadstreet is about to setle his habitation
with vs, at Salem ; and to imploy his stock in trading here.
Soe with my wives and my service to your selfe and my
sister with our love to my Cosens I am
Your verie loving brother Em: Downinge.
Salem 23. 2. 46.
27o. 2.
This drought attributed to the blood vpon the countrie
shed of the French.
Mr. Norris soUicited by our Easteme ministers and some
others to vrge for Justice therein, that syn may be taken
of the Land, as Mr. Sharpe enformed me this aftemoone
before Mr. Hathorne and some other of our towne, and
alsoe that Mr. Norrice should intimate God's displeasure
for yt against Maior Gibbons and Captane Haukins in
theire seuerall losses. I satisfied Mr. Sharpe fullie
therein, that there was no syn vpon the Country in that
action, who this euening in private entreated me to goe
1647.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 67
to Mr. Norricc about yt, because he thought him to be
in an error as himselfe was. When I had cleared the
ma}iie, one obiected our mens marching vnder our Colors,
I answeared yt was not done with warrant hence, 2d ob:
was your letter to Done, I answeared that it was noe
Comission for our men to wrong Done but to demand
our right. 3d ob: Done was offended thereat. Ans. yts
ordinarie for men to pretend offences when they ought,
and will not make restitution. My answeares to the mayne
I omitt because this paper is to litle.
Please you to send the wyne per my brother Browne.
I pray Sir tell goodman Nickerson I intreat him to
send me a pound of whalebone by the first he can.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO [JOHN WINTHROP].
Ever honored Sir, — I cam home last night out of Suf-
folke where I left our freinds well, where I found Mr.
Leight dwelling in the howse you sould Mr. Warren ; yts
much ruinous and falne to decay. He sayth that he in-
tends to gett lycence to pull downe halfe of yt to repayre
the rest My brother Gostlin is much broken, but my sis-
ter lookes fatt and lusty ; they desire to be remembred vnto
you, soe doe our freinds at Layes and Cox hall. I mett
with Colonell Mildmay vpon the way who inquired verie
earnestly after you. Mrs. Bacon of Shrublin is dead, hir
2 Sonns Nath : & Francis are of Parliament.
A Colonell being a Justice in Kent, there was an Indite-
ment read against him for stealing 2 horses : the Colonell
said, is there such a knave of my name ? not dreaming yt
was against himselfe ; being a Comittee man, and a Colo-
nell in the Kentish troubles, he tooke the 2 horses from a
malignant for the Parliaments service. The Judge stayed
the proceedings. The Parliament hath tomed out Sir
68 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1648.
Chidly out of Comissioii for perswading the party to pre-
ferr the bill I pray remember my service to Mr. Dudly
and lett him see the paper inclosed and then send yt to
my wife. Soe with my service to yourself e, my sister and
yours, I am Your loving brother
Em : DowNiNGE.
4. 3. 47.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
lb his ever honored Cosen John Wijdhrop, Esqr, at Pequoyt dl.
Sir, — I hope you are soe well setled in your occasions
there, as to begyn to think now of visiting your freinds in
the Bay, the merchants at Salem are sory you accepted
not theire propositions for the making of salt ; the Good
Lord direct you in that way as may be most comfortable
to your selfe and profitable to his people.
The witche is condemned, and to be hanged to-morrow,
being Lecture Day. A woeman of Exeter carj'ed some
catle to Dover to buy Corne, who with hir Come received
3/ in monie for hir catle, and in hir returne to Exeter was
murthered and hir monie taken away ; yts not yet knowne
who did yt ; your freinds here are all, blessed be God, in
good health ; soe with my wives and my love to your selfe
my good Cosen and all yours I take leave and am
Your verie loving vnckle Em : Downinge.
Boston 13. 4. 4S.
I have even now sold my horse to James Oliver for 10/
to purchase the still, I pray remember me about the Ger-
man receipt for making strong water with rye meall with-
out maulting of the Corne, I pray keepe a copie, in Case
the noate you send me should miscarye. Vale.
1648.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 69
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his euer honered Cosen John Winthrop Esqr. at Pequoyte,
Sir, — I am verie sorye to see how you are vsed by your
man James, for whose cariadge I referr you to Mris. Lake:
such servants will soone wayst all you haue. I pray take
yt into dew consideration. I hope you will not loose
tj'me in erecting a salt worke there, you neede not feare
vent here for yt. I pray send me, by the first safe con-
veyance, the tymbers with the price, for which I shall
reteme your pay in strong water, and soe for present I
take leave and am Your loving vnckle
Em: Downinge.
20. 4. 48.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his honored h^other John Winthrop esqr Oovemour, Boston.
Sir, — I expected to haue scene you, in your way to
Ipswich, when my long looking for your coming lost me
my dynner. I doe now desire to heare how you bore your
stormy jomey homwards.
I want the last Grant of the Court to Mr. Humphries
of Cosen W. fearme; I am now in hope to haue the
howse there repayred before winter, but am not yet fitted
with a man to my mynde to dwell there, but not out of
hope to haue one against the Spring, as I wrote to you
per goodman Gigles, which letter cam back to me againe
when you were at Ipswich.
I am now fuUie furnished for my stilling buisines ; and
doe purpose the 3d. or 4th day next to send an horse for
goodman Toy : if he comes not the 2d. day, I pray send
for him, and I hope he shall not need much intreating to
come, seeing yt was his owne offer, with a desire to see
70 THE WIXTHROP PAPERS. [1W8.
some books I haue about stilling, the which I shall shew
vnto him. Soe for present with my wives and my sen'ice
to your selfe and sister I take leave and am
Your verie loving brother Em : Downinge.
Salem 29, 7, 48.
EMAXUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his honored brother John Wlnihrop Esqr Governour.
Sir, — The verdict passing for Farrington he hath Judge-
ment fFor Stones meadow and 50a' 4d costs with the hav
standing vpon the ground, the which I must forth with
pay, and shall desire to haue yt repayd to me in Boston.
This tryall and judgement must begitt a new law in X. E.
that henceforth noe mans land shalbe recouered from the
possessor without sufficient warning for the producing his
evidence, which I hope wilbe cleared, before the next
Court. Its the [tom] meadow of the fearme conteyning
about 40 acr[es.] [tom'j hereof when I come to Boston.
I haue proceeded soe farr with Mr. Norton conce[ming]
my daughter Luice that wee are agreed vpon [tom] portion,
and am satisfied from the minister about the obiections
made against him : he would haue gone for England this
yeare, and will yet goe, if he shall see noe hope of gayn-
ing hir love : the minister informes me that his brother is
verie plyant to him in all things, and that there is great
expectation from help of freinds, ha\ing 3 Mickles in Lon-
don childles, 2 of them haue fvned for Aldermen:* he hath
a brother who writes (the letter I read) that he will send
him 500 or 1000/i worth of goods yearly and beare the
adventure to and fro. The benefitt his London brother
aymes at is to haue retornes made to Barbados to supply
his sugar workmen. I pray incouradge my daughter herein.
* An oM law required penons wli > refufcd to serve a* aldermen to par a fine. — Eds.
1648.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 71
for I suppose shee will not haue such a preferment (if this
fayle) in N. E. Soe for present with my service I take
leave and am Your verie loving brother
Em: Downinge.
lo. 10. 48.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
2b his honored Cosen John Winthrop, Eaqr, at Pequoyt,
Ever honored Cosen, — I am joyfuU to heareof your
health, but more glad to heare you would retornc and setle
here, and not to burye your talents in those obscure parts.
I am advised not to send your salt pan to Boston, but to
send it to you in some Catche that goes thither in the
spring. Goodman Birt with some other of his neighbours
of Lyn are about to sett vp a salt worke at Nahant. Mr.
Leder hath cast your pans. Our merchants are where
they were, standing to that they ofFred vnto you.
I haue wrought in stilling these 3 moneths, the water I
mak is desired more & rather then the best spirits they
bring from London.
My wife writes the newes. My service to your selfe,
your wife, my Cosen Lake, you and yours, I take leave
and am Your veric loving uncklc Em : Downinge.
17. 10. 48.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
ffor the Govemour.
Sir, — The Farringtons of Lyn the last weeke did
wame my late tenant, goodman Southwick, about the
hay he cut at the Ponds, to answeare yt before the Major
who referred it to a tryall at Salem Court, which was
yeasterday. I told the Major I had not warning suffitient
72 THE WIJJTHROP PAPERS. [1648.
to defend the tide of the land, in regard the question was
about Stone's meadoe, the Farringtons calling one barren
place by that name, and wee an other which is verie good.
Goodman Stone of Nantascott, of whom the place tooke
yts name can cleare yt, whom I could not possiblie haue
here by that tyme : soe I ofFred the Court to secure the
playntiff's damages if he should recover the land by a try-
all next Court ; but the playntifF would not forbeare his
tryall, soe he produced his witnesses, who affirmed the
barren meadoe to be Stone's meadoe, and the other though
nerer the Pond yet above a mile from yt. The Jury hath
yt now in chardge. I excepted against the Jury men of
Lyn as parties : what the yssue wil be I shall know this day.
The contents of the land is about 30 or 40 acres. You
shall heare more, God willing, shortly: soe for present with
my service to your selfe, sister, & Cosen Adam, I take
leave and am Your loving brother
Em. Downinge.
27. 10. 48.
The Court told the plaintife this tryall could not end
the buisines, but begitt an other suite and trj^all.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his honored brother John Winthrop esqr. Oouernor.
Sir, — this day Mr. Norton (who preached here
yeasterday) is retorned to Ipswich. He cam to make vp
the bargaine for his brother, with my daughter : wee
haue received fayre answeares to the manie obiections
made against him, there was noe mention of any letter
from Boston. After full hearing, my wife, my daughter
and my selfe consented freely to proceed, vnles within a
few dayes vpon further light wee should haue just matter
1649. J THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 73
presented to give cause to breake of. The Good Lord
direct vs. I haue sent my daughter to supply my sisters
want for present Mr. Norton desires hir speedy retume,
but I referr hir to my sisters occasions for her longer or
shorter stay there.
I make litle doubt of sufficient testymonie to recover
my Cosens meadow, yet I pray send me goodman Stones
testymonie or procure him to come over and view the
place and then to leave his testymonie. Your strong
water shall not I hope be the lesse for yts long stay.
Many here question the truth of the reports about
CoUonell R.
I hope my Cosen Adam wilbe better advised then to
goe in this shipp for Plymouth, his danger may be more,
thence to London, then from hence, &c. Soe for present
with my service to your selfe and my sister I take leave
and am your verie loving brother Em. Downinge.
22. 11. 48.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Sir, — According your direction I haue advised with
Mr. Endicott & some others about Mr. Pesler with whom
I am rather encouradged to proceede then to breake of,
but Mr. Hathorne tells me from the Elders of the Bay
that it wilbe a scandall to marry my daughter to such a
man that hath noe religion, he sayth that I was stayned
in poynt of coveteousnes in Mr. Cooks buisines, fot
demanding my monie before it was dew; (wherein Mr.
Sheapheard having the papers I sent may doe me right.)
And now in this match, yt wilbe confirmed in theire
opinions that I preferr the world above all, which is farr
contrarie to my desire and resolution,
Its well knowne how my daughter hath lost fayre op-
portunityes, and in those tymes when I had monie at will,
10
74 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
to haue spared hir, whereof shee is now verie sensible,
and feares that if shee should refuse Mr. Pesler shee may
stay long ere shee meet with a better, vnles I had more
monie for hir then now I can spare. I pray afoard me
your councell herein:
Mr. Norris preached here last Saboth to the well likeing
of most, some few only founde fault with the weaknes of
his voyce. I am in some hope to haue him setle with vs.
I heare now my Cow is reasonable well. I pray let hir be
sold with the Calfe. I could sell hir if shee were here,
but I had rather doe yt there to pay you. I doe want 10
bushells of Rye for seede, which I would so we 3 weeks or
a moneth hence at farthest, for which I must entreat you
to lett me haue yt. I entend to send sacks or casks for yt.
Soe for present 1 rest yours assured — Em: Downinge.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his honored Cosen John Winthrop eaqr at Boston,
Ever honored Cosen, — I doe condole with you for
the losse of our Governour,* which lyes soe heavy on my
hart as I know not how to remove yt. The day I had
appoynted to visit him, I fell sick of a feever: I am
through mercye in bodyly health, but not fitt to travaile.
I haue manie things to speak to you, which I cannot
write at present, my wife and I hope to see you at Salem
before your retorne ; in confidence whereof I conclude
abruptly and shall euer be your assured loving vnckle
whilest I am Em: Downinge.
Salem 6. 2. 49.
[Postscript, iu the handwriting of Lucy Downing, wife of Emannel.]
Dear Sir, — Goe not backe so long a voyage till wee
haue the happines to see you, and hear ho we all att
• Gov. Winthrop died 26th March, 164ft. His son came from Connecticut to attend his
funerul, which took phice on the 8d of April. — Eds.
1650.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. iD
Pecoite. I hope you haue had 2 letters from me since
you went and that was all, in respect I heard not from you.
I will promis my selfe you will come. Sir, my seruis to
my sister and cosens I pray, and intreat you to bring
what in the note in your pocket. If my cosen Adam or
your selfe meet with anny writings of mine I desire they
maye be keept safe.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
Sir, — I thank you for letter by John Conklin the bearer
hereof, who can informe you of our condition here, wee haue
had a mild winter vntill the begynning of the 11th month :
and then fell snow vpon snowe which lay till the later end
of the first month : and then a pleasant and noe backward
spring. 2 ships come one from Dartmouth, the other from
Bristoe ; they bring newes, how the Prince was preparing
to goe for Ireland, where Ormond and Inchequyn were
Masters of the fFeild and lay with 25000 men betwene
Dublin and Tredath, dayly threatening to storme Dublin,
wherein was CoUonell Jones with 5000 men, who yssuying
out, not purposing to charge vpon the wholl army, was
ingaged before he was aware, tooke 5000 prisoners, slew
manie and overthrew theire wholl army : the Prince hear-
ing this went for France and thence for Holland, is now at
Breda. After this Cromwell went to Dublin, thence to Tre-
dath where he lost manie men, but at last took it by
storming, and putt all to the sword, but 200 who in a fort
had quarter, thence he went to Wexford, took it and putt
most of them to the sword, left CoUonell Cooke there
Govemour, (late of Cambridge). Ireland is almost wholly
subdued. I suppose Mr. Leadder will hardly retorne
hither.
The Parliament hath made proclamation to pay their
Soldiers all areares as haue ben imployed, as well as those
76 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1650.
in this present army, with the Kings lands; which is a
notable policy to quyet the land.
Your flFather Peters is a CoUonell and Govemour of
Milford Haven. Prince Rupert is in the streights in way
of piracy.
Noe certeynty of any forreigne enemy to trouble Eng-
land. The Parliaments fleet keeps the Seas cleare.
Soe in hope to see you here shortly, we being all in
health, with my love and service to your selfe, wife, sister
Lake, my Cosen Elsabeth, Fits &c.
I take leave and am yours [^signature destroyed.']
Salem 29, 2. 50.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his ever honored Cosen John Winthrop Esqr at Pequoijte, dlr.
Sir, — I am glad to heare of your health and welfare.
I blesse God wee are in health here and soe be our freinds
at Boston. Mr. Rogers of Rowly hath last weeke buryed
his wife and childe within a few dayes after shee was
brought to bed. I suppose you haue heard how Mr.
Leddar hath left the Iron works, and lives at present in
Boston, he is about erecting a saw mill at a place nere
Pascattaway that shall work with nere 20 sawes at once.
Here is one JeflFries come in Mr. Leddars place, he was
heretofore maior Gibbons man, he hath bin these 4 or 5
yeares past imployed in England as Clark to an Iron worke.
Wee heare that Mr. Damport and Mr. Eaton are goeing
for England. I cannot give much crcditt thereto, I hope
you will not resolve to goe before you give your freinds a
visit here. Boston hath given Mr. Eaton a call to sett
downe with them.
You heare how Major Gibbons will not be perswaded
to be a Magistrate.
My Sonne George hath sent a letter to his mother
wherein he mentions 2 letters sent before, which I haue
1651.] THE WINTUROP PAPERS. 77
not received ; in this letter he writes not a word of my buisi-
nes. I heare by divers, of his purchase of 2 or 300/ per
annum ; my Sonne Norton saw the last payment at Mr.
Winslows chamber. There be divers which talk of remov-
ing hence to your plantation, whereof some though meane
in estate, yet vsefull working men. Soe with my love to my
Cosen Lake and yours, and myne and my daughter Nortons
and hir husband's service to yourselfe and your good wife,
I take leave and shall ever be whilest I am
Your verie loving vnckle Em : Downinge.
My service to Mr. Blynman & his wife ; his Church at
Gloster is calling Captane Perkins into office.
Salem 24, 12 mo. 1650.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To kU ever honored Cosen John Winthrop Esq at Pequoite.
Honored Sir, — I suppose you haue heard the good
newes out of England long ere this, how the Scotts King
marched into England with 22000 as farr as Worster
Mrithout any opposition. Massy his generall assured the
king that all England would come vnto him, but he was
refused entrance vntill he cam to Worster, by all the
townes he cam by: the Scotts army was not increased above
5 or 6000 by all the Englishe that repayred vnto him ;
CoUonell Monck surprised all his treasure (in Scotland)
which he had provided to carye with him for the payment
of his army, and with yt tooke old Lesley and divers other
principall men : When the King cam to Glocester where
Massy had ben Govemour, the King sent to the Govemour
to surrender to him with great promises of preferment, the
Govemour sends answeare and directs yt to him not as
King but Commander in Cheife of the Scotts army and
tells him he was better principled then to be traytor to the
Parliament who had intrusted him, Generall Cromwell
78 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1652.
writes that at the taking of Worster, there was 4 howres
as hard dispute as ever he mett with, In this fight
Massy was slayne,* the King threw away his George, starr
& garter, and fled as a comon Soldjer, is gott into France
where he found cold enterteynment. Worster was given
to the soldjers to phmder, most of the army was taken or
slayne, Earle of Darby beheaded, Earle of Cleavland and
manie more lords in prison, Scotland submitts, the Lord St.
Johns, Sir Henery Vane, Collonells Lamberton, Ilanison,
Deane and my sonne t in October last were sent into Scot-
land to setle it (as Wales is). The records of Scotland
are sent to the Tower of London, There is an act past
for the keeping of the 3d of 7ber a day of thanksgiving
for ever, for the victory of Worster that day, and the great
victory at Dunbar that day 12 month, where George re-
ceived 3 great wounds on his arme besides others but is
well againe. There is an act to punishe all heresyes with
death that rase foundations, and all Anabaptists to be
banished, and if they retorne to England to be hanged
vnles they recant.
At Lyn here is good store of salt made. They prepare
their liquor in woodden pans as I am informed. I thinke
long to see yt. George writes my buisines is not yet done,
neither could he stay to effect yt, thus with my wives and
my service to yourselfe wife and Cosens Mr. Blynman
and his wife I rest and am your loving unckle
Em: Downinge.
Salem 7 of 1 mo. 51.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his euer konered Coaen John Winthrop Esqr, at Pequyt.
EuER HONORED CosEN, — I am sorry for occasion of sad
tydings hence vnto you, but I suppose these will not be
• Mns!*y wns not slain, as it proved, though badly wounded. — Eds.
t Sir (leorge Downing. — Eikh.
irw2.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 79
the first intelligence thereof. Yeasterday your brother
Adam Winthrop was buryed, who dyed the third day
before, hauing layne sick fine or six dayes, but in such
manner as neither himselfe nor any freind about him sus-
pected his death scarce halfe an howre before he departed,
who neither made will nor gave any word of directions
concerning his estate though in perfect memorie, and wise
men about him, he dying in the Elders armes. His wife
and others your nere relations here doe earnestly entreat
your speedy repayre hither, because the ordering of the
buisines about his wife, child, and the rest is refered to
your coming. Soe with my wives, the widowes and my
service to yourselfe your wife, Mris. Lake, my cosens &c.
I take leave and am Your loving vnckle
Boston 2S of the 6th month 16.52. Em : DoWNINGE.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his honored Coaen John Winthrop esq, at Pequoit.
Deare Sir, — I wrote this winter to you with letters
therein inclosed to my Cosen Mountagew ; I directed them
to Amos Richardson to be sent vnto you. There were
letters alsoe from Mr. Peters to your selfe who invites you
to retome to England, and writes that if my wife will
retome shee shalbe as welcome to him as to hir owne
childe. George hath putt Joshua into a Customes place
in Scotland. I haue had noe letters from Joshua, nor anv
from George in answeare to any thing I wrote to him:
he wrote a short loving letter to my wife, and excuseth
his not sending any thing to hir in regard of the troubles
at Sea. Scotland is quiet. The Dutch haue proclaymed
warr with England, with whom there have ben divers Sea
fights, and in everie of them the Dutch haue ben worsted.
The Spaynyard hath by the helpe of the English regayned
80 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1652.
Dunkirke, Cardinall Maseryne hath left the French Court
and is retyred to the boarders, yet France continues still
on fire. Ensigne Dixie, as I wrote, sayth your pan is not
worth the double loading and Miloading, and therefore
adviseth John Gallop to come to Salem and receive yt
there, but if I can prevaile yt shalbe sent to Boston,
where Mr. Norton is like to succede in Mr. Cottons
place.
I suspect George would haue vs retome, and putts
Mr. Peters vpon the invitation. Thus with my love
and service to yourselfe, wife, children, cosen Lake and
honest Mr. Blynman and his good wife, I take leave
and am Your lo>dng vnckle Em: Downinge.
Salem 15 of the first mo. 52.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his mtcch honored Cosen John Wirdhrop Esqr. at Pequoife.
Ever honored Cosen, — When I vnderstood that John
Gallop was come to Boston, I went to the Iron works and
told goodman Jenks of the present opportunitye to send
your sawes, who told me he had twoe ready which he
would send you : those I hope you haue received, but I
could not procure your Iron pan to be sent to Boston as
was desired, though often promised to haue yt conveyed
thither: at last Dixie said that your best way to haue
your pan is to appoynt the vessell to take yt in here that
should carrye yt to Pequoit, which will prevent trouble and
hasard of spoyling your pan in lying vpon any wharfe at
Boston, and it might be shipt and vnshipt againe, whereas
once shipping it will serve if your vessell call for it.
Mr. Norton of Ipswich is like to be removed to supply
Mr. Cottons place, Boston hath called him, Ipswich re-
fuseth. The matter is referred to six Churches, 3 chosen
lGo3.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 81
for Boston, 3 for Ipswich; there be chosen for Boston,
Salem, Cambridge, and Dorchester; fFor Ipswich, Lyn,
Newbery, and Dedham ; the next fourth day they meet at
Ipswich to end the difference.
I suppose you haue heard the report of Mr. Yong laden
from your parts to the West Indyes to be taken by Prince
Rupart ; yts probable but not certeyne, I say probable be-
cause Rupart is in these parts whither he was bound.
The Dutch haue proclaymed warr against England,
manie fights haue ben at sea between them, and in all
of them the Dutch haue ben worsted ; Mr. Winsloe writes
that the State of England expects wee should deall with
the Dutch here as cnemyes. CoUonell Lamberton was
appoynted to be Deputj' of Ireland, made preparations
for yt, but, (in the interim) Collonell Charles Fleetwood
marrieth Ireton s widow, Generall Cromwells daughter,
where vppon Fleetwood is appoynted Deputye, to the great
discontent of manie that should haue gone with Lamberton.
There is noe considerable force with the rebells of Ireland
or Scotland.
I heare nothing from George nor Joshua about my
buisiues. Mr. Peters writes that George doth well to
wonder, I suppose he meanes wonderfull well. He writes
for your family to goe over, and writes that my wife shalbe
as i¥elcome to him as to hir owne sonne. Soe with my
love and service to your selfe, wife, children, and Mris. Lake
I take leave and am
Your loving vnckle Em : Downinge.
Salem 14. 12. 16t>2.
My Service to Mr. Blynman & his wife.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHUOP, JR.
Sir, — My last were by Amos Richardson concerning
Pottashes &c. you know here growes a weed verie plenti-
11
82 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [IGo,}.
fullie in these parts which produce th indico as good as that
which comes from the East Indyes, being farr better then the
west Indy indico, wee can perceive noe difference betwene
the weed which growes here and that of Barbados but only
in the colour of the flowers, Some haue mad tryall of it
here, but with much more labour then there needs, for after
they had steeped it in water, they heated with staves vntill
it thickned, whereas an instrument made like a west-
countrv churne would Avith ease effect vt. If the weed
growes there as it doth here you may make a buisines of it
to good account, if [it] growes not there or not soe plenti-
fuUie as to maynteyne a worke, you may easily procure
seed from Barbados or hence to begjune the buisines.
This bearer goodman Raymond was verie desirous to
haue a letter, which forced me to study some thing to
forme a letter of. Soe for present with my A\ives and
mv love and servdce to vourselfe, Anfe, sister Lake, Mr.
Bl}Timan and his Avife and all yours, I take leave and am
Your loving vnckle Em : Downing e.
Noe certeyne newes out of England, but by flying reports
from Virginea that the Dutch lost 30 saile of merchants
and 10 men of war on Goodwin sands, and that there is
hope of peace because there was a comand to all Sea men
not to medle with the Dutch vntill further directions.
Salem 13. 1. 53.
Indigo. The receipt for making of Indigo, — 1 or 2 houres
after the herb is cutt, lay it in a fatt, pressc it downe hard
with a beame over cross barres that aire may come to it
till it worke & raise the barrs, let it lye 24 houres, th«n
fill the fatt halfe full of water till the weede rott in the
water, vsually in 24 houres, then fill the fatt full. So
lett it stand vntill it come to a coulor within 3 daies tyme
the weede vnrotted take out lett the rest stand 24 houres
Ifi-H.] THE WINTHROP TAPERS. 83
more then stirre it that it may all runne out into an other
fatt : then beate it & poure it in & out with bucketts &
that incessantly, till it come to one perfect coulor, lett it
thei\ settle, make then a tap to draw forth • all the thin
water, then take vp the bottom remaining into baggs that
T^ill hold 5 pound weight, made of strong canvasse with
an hoope on the top, & then a stick acrosse, by which
hang it in a house & save the droppings, which will make
a good Coulor (so the first drawne water a reasonable
coulor) in an hourcs tyme the water will all dropp out
of the bagge, then take the remaining Indico into boxes,
in which lay the Indico some 3 fingers thick, which set in
the sunne & let them candy (else in an oven or stove to
dry temperately not in hast,) then whilest it is drying slice
it with a knife. Memo : the vine cotton like to grow heere.*
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his much honored Cosen John Winthrop ait Peqitote.
Honored Cosen, — I suppose you haue heard of the
taking of St Johns, Port royall, and Penobscott from the
French by Maior Sedgewick, Portroyall only made a litle
resistance, where 2 men of ours were slavne and fowre
French men whereof one was theire cheife Preist. There
was a shipp lately arived from France which the soldiers
plundered, yt had 16 great guns which Generall Sedge-
wick tooke into his owne ships, and gave the shipp to
the French to carye them home, there was found among
the Prebts clothes a manuscript contajning the rules of
theire government, which are more divilishe then Machi-
vills.
Here is newes come from Ne^vfoundland that the
• The above is in the handwriting of John Winthrop, Jr., the Govenior of Connecticut;
and was found in the letter of Downing, dated 13. 1. V^S. — Eds.
84: THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [10o7.
State of England sent a fleet to surprise the French at
Canada, but because the yeare was farr spent they retorned
with resolution to come early in the Spring, the newes alsoe
is that warrs are proclaymed with France, here be shipps
expected dayly out of England who will bring the truth
of it
I should haue ben glad to haue scene you here this
sommer. I am now purposed God willing to goe for Eng-
land with Generall Sedgewick, which wilbe within these
2 moneths at furthest if not sooner ; if I could I would
make a iorny of purpose to see you, vnles you write to
Captaine Cane to prevent it, I may haue much trouble
about the subscription for the Iron works. Your freinds
are all well at Salem, the which I pray for with you. Soe
with my love and service to your selfe, your wife, Mr. Blyn-
man & his wife, Mris. Lake and your daughters I take
leave and rest Your loving unckle whilest I am
Em : DowNiNGE.
Boston 25th of 7ber 1654.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO FITZ JOHN WINTHROP.*
My good Cosen, — I am glad Providence hath brought
you safe into these parts, and shall reioyce to haue your
companie here and if you meet not with imployment there,
my advise is when the season will permitt, that you come
downe hither. I know your vnkle Reade wilbe glad to see
you and verie ready to helpe your accomodation. I cease
further trouble only to tell I am Your loving vnckle
Em: Downinge.
Edenbr. 2 ffebr. '57.
* Fitz John Winthropf the eldest son of John Winthrop, Jr., had gone over to Enjclnnd
to seek service in the civil wars. He soon obtained a commission as lieutenant, and ufter-
Avnrds as captain, in the regiment commanded by his mother's brother, Col. Thomas Reade,
"\vlio \vfi* Gf»vornor o\ Stirling Cattle. — Ki»8.
1658.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 85
EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.*
ffor The honoured John Winthorpe Eaqr, Governour att Connecti-
con. In New england — These.
Sir, — I would be very glad to hear from your self of
the health and wellfare of you and yours, and more should
I rejoyce to enjoy your companie, if Provydence should
so order it. Your Aunt and Cousin [Martha are better
aifected with Scotland then I expected. Wee are heer in
a comfortable way both for the meanes of grace, and for
the outward man. But for Newes at this distance from the
Court I can WTjtt you nothing, but what you may hear from
better hands thence. The great talk heer at present is of
the King of Swedens, who taking advantage of this late
frost, the like wherof haue not been since the memorv of
man, carried his Army over and subdued the principle parts
of Denmark, and possest himself of the Island, wherby he
hath the one half of the benefeit of the passage th[rough]
the sound, and hath confined the King of Denma[rk] to
his Northern parts of his Cuntrj^ and layed a fyne vpon
him of Two hundred and fyftie thousand pounds, and to
give satisfaction to his father in law, the Duke of Holstein
for all his damnagis, his cuntry being the seate of war.
And further to allow the King of Swedens four Regiments
of horse and foot and free quarters for his Army vntil May.
I know you will haue a more compleit account of the Newes
hence by your sonn and brother t then I can afFoord you.
Therefore I cease from further trouble onlv to tell I am
Your Loveing Vncle
Eman : Downing.
Edinbubgh the 27th of March 16o8.
* Downing seems to have employed nn amunuensifl in writing this letter. — Eds.
t The brother here mentioned was Col. Stephen Winthrop, son of the elder John Win-
throp, who commanded a regiment in the civil wars, and was a member of one of Cn>ni-
vellV parliaments (165fi), for KnintT and Abenlcen. — Ei>s.
86 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [IfwH.
EMANUEL DOWNING TO FITZ JOHN WINTHROP.
ffor Mr, Winthrop ait Sterling.
My good Cosen, — I am glad yt pleaseth our heavenly
father to continew your health in these Northern parts ;
yts a blessing which calleth for thanks to heaven, for
manie haue mett with much sicknes vppon the change
of the avre.
You haue noe cause to be troubled about vour buisi-
nes for that its not retomed accordiu": the t\'me vou
expected the same, for his highnes hath ben verie sick
and is now prety well againe, and I hope shortly will
fall to dispatch buisines : and whereas you desire my
counsell, I must tell you that you haue great cause to
blesse God, who hath vnited your vnckles hart vnto you,
who is resolved to make it his buisines to setle you in a
way of preferment, therefore let me advise you to acquiesce
in him, and him alone vnder God : as for your other place
intreat your vnckle to write to your Maior for further
tvme ; but the truth is, I conceive it not worth the while
whither you hold the intended place or noe, and not
worth the spending the favour of a freind for it, I cease
further trouble onlv to tell I am
Your loving vnckle
Em: Downinge.
Your Aunt remembers her love to vou, vour Aunt and
Cosens.
From Edinborouoh, the 6th of September. 1658.
16:J0.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 87
EMANUEL DOWNING TO FITZ JOHN WINTHROP.
ffor his Loving Nephew Livt Phitta-John Whvthrope, at Sterling,
Loving Cosen, — I am glad to heare you are well and in
health, and of the health of your vncle and Aunt and Cosens.
Pray present my service to them. Wee received too long
letters from your father wherein he writes of the like mor-
tallity there as has beene in England. IVIr. Cogan of Boston
is dead and manv more which I forbeare to name, because
I suppose are vnknowne to you. I cease further trouble
only to tell I am Your Loving vncle Em: Downinge.
Edenb. 9th 10, 1658.
BILLS OF EXCHANGE.
Brother Downinge, — I pray paye to this bearer
Mr. John Revell or his Assignes the summe of 2 Hi 95
which is due for certaine provisions of one Rich : Childe
which Mr. Revell sent to me here I praye paye it within
14 dyes after receipt hereof. So I rest Your loving brother
Jo: WiNTHROP.
Chablton in N : England, July 23, 1630.
Received this 30 of September 1630 in full of this bell
of Exchang the some of Twenty one pounds nine ) ' * ^•
shilenes. I say Rec'd by me Richard Child, i
[Endorsed)
Accepted this bill in the name of Mr. Emanuell Down-
ing this fifteenth day of September.
per me, John Winthrop [Jr.].
[London.]
88 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [16ii(».
Mr. Downing, — These arc to intreate you upon sight
of this second bill (the first and third bill giuen for this
somrae unpayd) to pay unto Mr. William Bundock master
of the shippe William and Thomas or to his assignes the
some of fower pounds which is part of ye seauen pounds
seauenteene shillings which Mr. Griffith Waller is to
receaue of you for parcells sold to John Wintrop esquire
Gouemor of the Massachusetts Bay in New-England in
America.
Herof I doubt not of your performance.
Your assured frend Isa: Johnson.
Salem in New Engl: 19 Aug: 1630.
Mr. Downing lines at his house nere Fleete Conduit, at
ye Bishopps head.
Mr. Downinge, — I pray pay to Mr. GrefFeth Wallar
ffiftie shillings off the a bofF sayd som ffor his owne ease
& the other 30 Shillings pray pay to my wifF at the syt
off this bell & this shall be svffeshent dishcharg.
William Bvndvck.
(Edidorsed)
Received the 4th of November 1630 of Mr. John ^
Winthrop in full of this bill the summe of fifty shil- I " '■
lings by the apointment of my mr Daniell Dobbins (
to the vse of Mr. Griffeth Waller. I say received. J
per me IS John Savill his marke.
> xxx!
XXXo. die Octobr 1030.
Received by me Elizabeth Banduck the some
of Thirt}' shillings as my parte of this bill Avithin
written, being lawfull english monie, I say received
the day & moneth aboue >vritten of Mr. John
Winthrop gent, sonne to the within named John
Winthrop Esquire.
By me B Eliz: Bunduck, her marke.
1643.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 89
BOND.
Whereas John Winthrop, Junr. esqr. hath put me into
the Ironworke as an adventurour and given mfe credit for
fiftye pounds therein ; and given me tyme for the payment
of the said bOli. till my retorne next yeare out of England,
if therefore I shall not pay him the said 50/i. before the
first day of September next, that then the said 50/i. shaJbe
and remayne to the sole and proper vse of the said John
his heires and assignes for ever. Witnes my hand this 16
of December 1644. Em: Downinge.
Witness Adam Winthrop.
DEED FROM EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
Bee it knowne to all men by these presentes that I
Emanuel Downing of Salem in New England in Conside-
ration of the sume of sixty pounds sterling to me in hand
payd by John Winthrop Junior Esqr. in Cattle & other
goods, doe assigne, sell & set over vnto Thomas Vincent
of London all my right & interest as an Vndcrtaker in the
Iron Works, wherein my part & share is fifty pounds, as
by theere bookes wherein the Vndcrtakers Shares &
adventures are sett downe doth & may appearc, To haue
& to hould the said share vnto him the said Thomas
his heires & Executors, with all the Benefitts & profitts
thereof forever, Witnes my hand & scale this 30th day
of October 1645. Emmanuel Dow^eing
Witnes John Coggan & a Seale.
WiLLM. ASPINWALL.
I William Aspinwall Notary & Tabellion publick by
Authority of the Generall Court of the Massachvsets ap-
pointed doe testify this to be a true Copie of the Originall
Deed & by me examined, Witnes my hand this 20th of
December, 1645, Willm Aspinwall, Notary Public.
1645.
12
90 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
HUGH PETER AND EMANUEL DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To our honored brother John Winthrop, Sen. Esqr. these
present^ in Boston.
Deere Sir, — Wee are bold to intrcat your furtherance
in counsell and other helpe for the suppressing pipe staff
riuers and clabords in our towne ; because wee haue 2 or
3 ships building. Wee desire that within 2 or 3 miles
neere any riuer they may not fell great tymber fit for
shipping; for they may as. well cut it further of, it being
so portable, and ship-timber being so heavy. Your letter
to Mr. Endecot by this bearer will helpe vs very much.
This bearer will giue you more reasons then wee can, to
whom wee intreat you would bee pleased to listen.
These men cut downe but halfe of the tree for their vse,
& the rest lyes rotting & spoyles our Comons, with many
more inconveniencyes then wee name. Thus craning
your wonted and lawfull favor herein, with our due
salutations doe rest Yours in all duty
Hu: Peter.
Salem 13, 11, 40. Em: Downinge *
* The above letter is placed between those of DowDiDg and Peter, as bearing the
signature of both these writers, although not in its chronological order as to either
collection. — Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 91
LETTERS OF HUGH PETER.*
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
For my deer & louing Sonne, Mr. John Winthrop, iunior. these
dlr. Boston.
Deere Hart, — Mee thought I broke from you too
abruptly last day. My hart is with you. I can say no
more but this. Streighten your accounts and in them bee
curious. Leaue your mind for mee about your Ipswich
busines in writing ; and if you will send 20/ to Mr. Ende-
cot you may seale it vp & send it by this bearer. I am
buying goates. Salute all yours, tell your wife I will not
be long from her. The blessing of heaven bee vpon you &
him who is Yours whilst any thing
Hu : Peter.
Sagusb 2d. day.
Leave things with your father in some order for feare of
the worst, whom with my mother I pray salute from me
vnfaynedly.
• Hugh Peters (who, it will be observed, habitually wrote his name without the final «)
hftd married the widow of Edmand Reade, Esq., of Essex ; and had thus become the father-
in-law of the younger Winthrop*s wife. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge ;
where he took the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1616, and of Master in 1622. He was
licensed by the Bishop of London, and preached at St Sepulchre's with great success.
His nonconformity brought him into trouble ; and ho went over to Holland, where he spent
five or six years, as pastor of the English church at Rotterdam. From there he came to
New England in 1636, and remained till 1641. He took an active part in the civil wars
of England, on the side of Cromwell ; and, on the Restoration, was arraigned and con-
victed as a regicide. He was executed at Charing Cross, Oct. 16, 1660. — Caulfield's High
Comrt of Juitict^ pp. 104-112. — Eds.
92 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the right WorahipfuU John Winthrop Esqr. Boston,
Deerest Sir, — I cannot let so many dayes and nights
passe without speaking with you, and now I am at it I
haue little to say but that I long to haue your ioycs and
peace to continue full ; and that much of my comfort is
wrapt vp in yours. A little newcs I had out of a late letter
come to hand out of England, which you may tell the
Gouernour,* from me to make him laugh viz : that there
was a fast in England, and at Bristow in one Church whilst
they were preaching a great Bull broke into the church-
yard and a company of boyes followed him with squibs ; the
people within were taken vp before with thoughts that
the papists that day would rise, & had warding all the
Country ouer; the Bull & the squibs so wrought vpon
their melancholy braynes, that one cryes out if I perish I'll
perish here, another swounds away, another they are come,
they are come. Mr. Prichard the preachers wife cryes to
her husband in the pulpit, come downe (husband) come
downe, the tyme is come, & much of this. At Taunton
brimstone was smelt in the church & such another com-
bustion as when Trestrams boy gote into the fryars Cools.
In hast I rest Yours & euer so
H: Peter.
Sal£M 2(1 day.
We desire a day of thanksgiuing 4th day sennight. I
haue wished this bearer to buy me some bees.
• Perhaps Vane, who was Governor in 1686. — Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 93
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
7b my /rend and son Mr. John Winthrop yonger, these dlr.
Boston*
Deere Sir, — By these you may vnderstand that I haue
receiued your letters and am glad our busines goes on,
though I am very tender of your personall aduenture in
the busines, in which I pray be very carefuU by all meanes.
You know many haue an interest in you. For my part I
neuer meant lesse then to goe with you, but God's hand
hath bin and is vpon mee more and more in the weaknes
of my body, which declynes dayly. For the nayles at
Salem there are diuers very much rusted, & so are the
clinchers ; for the things in the Barke I pray bee carefull
of, these are they I thought you should not haue carryed
with you, because I feare that our firends will alter their
purposes when they come. I am sorry for the short pro-
visions in the bay ; it is so all ouer. Helpe Lord ! and I
hope hee will helpe. Salute honest Mr. Garddner & the
rest. My hart is with you & your ioumey, and my prayers
shall follow you.
For those things which conceme the Generall, I shall
comunicate to Mr. Humfiry who is home for this Court.
I doe not know how too send these nayles you write.
There is also 20 or 30 barres of iron left and some meale.
To carry too many things thither, as guns, etc. may not be
so advantagious for ought I see. The Lord doe you good
abundantly. I am yours euer, frend & father
H: Peter.
* Probablj written in 1686, at the departure of the yonnger Winthrop to join Gardner
at the mouth of the Connecticut — See, among the letters of John Winthrop, Jr., in this
Tolume, one written by him to his father, bearing date April 7, 1686.^ Eds.
94 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.*
N E W E S.
Deeeest Sir, — We haue a fishing ship come in hither of
200 tuns, the Master Mr. King, shee belongs to Mr. Hooke
of Bristol! whose son dwells at Agamenticus, & marryed
Capt : Norton's widdo w, to whom his father hath sent 1 0
cowes, & not lost one by the way. Lesse then 10 weekcs
coming from Bristoll. All they say is that Capt. Rajus-
borough is come from Sallyf ,brough[t] 140 slaues English,
made a peace with the king of Morocco, who beleaguered
it by land whilst ours did it by sea, & it was dehuerd by
accord ; 30 Morocco gallants came home to our king with
presents; a great fleet gon for Argisa. Not a Turke
about our coasts. Some ships are making ready this way.
Come cheaper here then in England.
I N V 0 Y C E.
Batter at 7d per lb.
Cheese at 7d. per lb
Sack, per gal. 6s
Mascadine . • • 6:6.
Irish beefe the tun 503 •
Irish rugs • . . 14s.
They are so deere wee shall not deale with them. An-
other ship is gone into Pascataway ; they had the cold
storme at sea. Boston men are thinking of Delawar bay.
Mr. Prudden goes to Qvinipiak. Mr. Davenport may sit
down at Chaxlestowne. Mr. Eaton very ill of the skurvey.
An eele py. Angells appeare at Boston. Be secret. Your
sister Symonds recovering. Berdall hath buryed his wife.
Another eele py. Wee haue tomorrow morning JiggcUs
* Probably written from SalenHf about the latter part of the year 16S7, 0. S. — Eds.
t Sallee, a city hi the proymce of Fez, noted at that time both for trade and piracy.
For an account of Rainsborough's expedition, see Harris's " Lives of James L and Charles
I.," &c., ii. 198-198.
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 95
going to your Govemour laden with wood ; some dred of
the frost at Boston. I wish you were here to goe with vs
to Boston 2d day. Salute your wife from vs.
I am you know H : P.
I pray pay Samuel Greenfield lOs. for mee. He is of
your towne & will come to you.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To our noble Oouemour John Winfhrop Esqr. These cUr, Boston.
Sir, — Mr. Endecot and my selfe salute you in the Lord
Jesus, etc. Wee haue heard of a diuidence of women and
children* in the bay and would bee glad of a share viz :
a young woman or girle and a boy if you thinke good : I
wrote to you for some boyes for Bermudas, which I thinke
is considerable.
Besides wee are bold to impart our thoughts about the
Come^at Pequoit, which wee wish were all cut downe, or
left to the Naragansicks rather than for vs to take it, for
wee feare it will proue a snare thus to hunt after their
goods whilst wee come forth pretending only the doing of
Justice, and wee beleeue it would strike more terror into
the Indians so to doe : It will lieuer quit cost for vs to
keepe it
Wee are not well at ease, some of vs viz : Mr. Endecot
& my selfe, but wee haue a strong God, to whom wee
commend you & my deere & much honourd sister, tender-
ing all our respects vnto you vnfaynedly I am
Yours vnworthy of you. Hugh Peter.
Salem last day.
* Peqnot captives. — See Wiiithrop*s History of New England, i. 282, under date
July, 1637. — Eds.
96 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1638.
HUGH PETER TO THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS.
To the Honored Court now set at Boston,
Whereas it pleased the Lord by diuers occasions to ex-
ercise our honored brother Mr. Humfrey so, as his condi-
tion is generally taken notice of in the Country to bee such
that without some helpe his frends feare the Gospell may
suflFer by his suflFerings.
By the aduice of frends I am bold to desire the Coun-
sell, fauor, and assistance of the Court now assembled in
his behalfe, and finding the Country so charged already by
necessary rates, I haue only this way of some succor to pre-
sent to your wisedomes viz : that whereas hee hath some
mony in his hands intended to some* publike vse, if that
may be remitted to his owne being one hundred and odde
pounds; and if therunto you shall aduise I shall pay him
what Mr. Geere left to some of vs to dispose of for the
Country, I suppose it may answer good part of his
necessity, thoughe I perceiue lesse then 700/ besides the
sale of much of his estate will not cleere him. ♦
Hcrin I shall wayt your pleasure and shall euer bee
(as I am bound) Yours, Hugh Peter.
Salem, 10 (7)*
[The " Answer " of the Court to the foregoing petition appears in
the margin thereof, in the hamlwTiting of John Winthrop, Esq., Gover-
nor, in the words following : — ]
The Court vpon hearing this Petition, & muche argu-
ment & consideration thereof did declare theire tender
regard of the gentleman & his condition, & their ready-
♦ Probably 1638. The General-Court Records are silent on the subject of this petition ;
but in June, 1639, " It was ordered that a letter should be sent to Mr. Humfrey to send in
the 100/ which is in his hand to further tlie college." — Colonial Records^ i. 268. Subse-
quently, an allowance of £250 was made to Mr. Humfrey. — /6»f/., i. 294. • Eds.
1638.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 97
nesse to helpe to supporte him : but they are not satisfied
that his estate is so lowe as it should call for any such pub-
lic helpe, & if it should appeare so they would then see
a faire waye how such helpe may be vsefull to him for the
intended ende.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
Good Son, — My truest loue vnto you and all yours in
Jesus Christ our deerest Lord. These may certifye you
that I doe long for your company as much as the teeming
earth for the rising sun. Let not your wife bee ouer de-
iected, for my part I am as deep in my obstructions as at
[Rotterdam. I pray spcake to your wife that Mat : Lake ♦
and my mayd hope may bee with her, and then I belieue
shee shall haue two tolerable seruants. My head is not
well, nor any part at present for I cannot get sleepe. I
would you should send mee word what you will doe ther-
in, but rather come ouer. Oh how my hart is with you.
You doe not know how much I need frends and helpe.
Tell my dear frend your sister Symonds that I am as low
as euer, & wish I knew how to see her. Thus in much
hast & perplexity I take leaue & am Yours euer
Salem vlt Sept: Hu : PeteR.
HUGH peter to JOHN WINTHROP.
To our noble Oouemour, tliese present^ in Boston.
Hon. Sir, — I vnderstand by Mr. Pierse that Mr. Bel-
lingham is very, very greedy for more mony, who hath
already taken more then hee can answer : wherefore my
* Mn. Margiret Lake. She was a danghter of Edmand Reade, of Wickford, Essex
County; and sister of Elizabeth, the second wife of John Winthrop, Jr. Her husband's
name was John Lake. —Copy of Edmand Jteade's Will, m MS,, daUd 20 Nov. 1628. — Eds.
13
98 THE WINTIIROP PAPERS. [1638.
humble request is that you would bee pleased to suffer none
at all to touch it, synce the mony is properly myne, and at
the Court wee hope to bee all there. Mr. Pierse hath
also promised to vndertake for all the owners there, and I
for those here, being iust halfe in e}i;her place, and so to
issue all.
I am bold besides to intreat you to let your seruant by
your order to take all Mr. Lapthomes goods into your
hands, that were at the ordinarj^ his trunke and other
things are at your house already, and to pay 3/ to the
Master for passage, and what the ordinary deraaunds, and
to keepe all his goods safe because hee wholy belonged to
mee, and my brother who sent the man ouer to mee vpon
my letter will expect my faithfulnes. Thus making euer
bold with you I rest
Yours in all due respects & vtmost service
Hu: Peter.
Salem 25. 8.
I pray salute your anima dimidium & my noble Aunt.- (?)
I pray intreat her or some body to buy mee 5 or 6 dozen
of candles vpon any termes.
HUGH PETER TO PATRICK COPELAND.
To my Worthy & reuerend brother j Mr. Copdand, preadier of the
Oospellf in Bermuda,
Good Brother, — By these you may vnderstand, that
wee doe not a little reioyce at any intercourse betwixt your
selfe & vs. These bearers I pray bid welcome to you as
any of yours should bee to vs. The Master is an honest
godly man of our church, and such as you will haue much
ioy in, wee hope : and I pray helpe vs by prayers what you
can. These can informe you of the state of things with
vs, and how it is in England & Scotland, even sad enough.
1638.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 99
Wee haue a printery here* and thinke to goe to worke with
some speciall things, and if you have any thing you may
send it safely by these. Our churches flourish, & the more
by some late familisticall errors intruded by Satan : and
truly troubles wee must look for on all hands, but wee
know whom wee haue trusted. The God of all peace bee
with you and all your worke for him. Our plantations doe
reach a great way South and East, and I am perswaded
will looke into the West Indyes, of which I would haue
your •opinion. Good Sir bee earnest with the Lord for vs
that wee may bee to his praise in Jesus Christ — amen.
Yours cuer Hugh Peter.
Salem 10. lOber 1638.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To our noble Governor These dlr. at Boston.
Deerest Sir, — I humbly thanke you that you would
please to mynd me for my sheepe.
ffor this bearer, Walter Baker, hee hath demeaned him-
selfe very fayrly with vs, & our Elder who was to hyre
him finds not the least fault with him, but that hee was to
imploy him vpon the water in a canow, which he likes not
of. 1 like the man very well, & you shall meet with many
that will be farre worse. I can safely commend him so
farre as I can heare or disceme.
1 shall be bold to communicate diners things to you
about the court, before the court, (God willing) ; ff^or pre-
• Under date of March, 1638-9, Winthrop writes: "A printing-house was begun nt
Cambridge by one Daye [Stephen], at the charge of Mr. Glover, who died on sea
hitherward. The first thing which was printed was the freemen*s oath ; the next was an
almanack made for New England by Mr. William Peirce, mariner; the next was the
Psalms, newly turned into metre." The " Book of Psalmes " was " imprinted *' in 1640.
One or two copies are in the New-England Library, in possession of the Old South
Church in Boston. — Eds.
100 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1639.
sent I cease to bee further bold, & with my truest affection
& due respect to yourselfe & all yours. I rest
Yours in all duty Hu. Peter.
Salem 25 of 8.
I craue this bearers helpe about the shipping my ram.
Your son & little (sic) are well gone yesterday to Ips :
Mr. Cotton etc. wee see not.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the Noble Gouernor in Boston.
Hon : Sir, — I much thanke you for yours, and together
am sorry for the sicknes of our frends. I am still trouble-
some to you. I haue sent Mrs. D. Sh.* letter, which puts
mee to new troubles, for though shee takes liberty vpon
my Cossen Downing's speeches, yet (Good Sir) let mee not
bee a foole in Israel. I had many good answers to yester-
day's worke and amongst the rest her letter ; which (if
her owne) doth argue more wisedome, then I thought shee
had. You haue often sayd I could not leaue her ; what to
doe is very considerable. Could I with comfort & credit
desist, this seemes best ; could I goe on, and content my
selfe, that were good : my request is that this bearer my
harts-halfe may well obserue what is best. For though I
now seeme free agayne, yet the depth I know not. Had
shee come ouer with mee I thinke I had bin quieter.
This shee may know, that I haue sought God earnestly,
that the next weeke, I shall bee riper : —
I doubt shee gaynes most by such writings : and shee
deserues most where shee is further of. My very hart is
with you, & I am
Yours euer, H : Peter.
* Probably Mrs. Deliverance Sheffield, who soon afterwards bectuiie his secoud
wife. — Eds.
1639.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 101
If you shall amongst you aduise mee to write to hir, I
shall forthwith, our towne lookes vpon me contracted and
so I haue sayd my selfe, what wonder the charge would
make I know not.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To our NoUe Chuernour, These present, Boston.
Honored Sir, — Synce my last I haue nothing to cer-
tifye you but what fell out the last day of the last weeke
in our congregation at a church-meeting, where Mr. Hol-
graue denying some thing that was cleere to the congrega-
tion, (hee being then dealt with,) was suddenly struck by
Gods hand with the losse of his memory and such fum-
bUng in his speech that wee were forced to send him forth,
and at his house hee talked very idly, slept, and is still
weake but recouering : it did sadly affect vs all. The Lord
helpe vs to make vse of it to his praise.
I pray salute all our deerly beloued with you, & bee
pleased to tell this story to honest Mr. Wilson whom I
salute in the Lord.
My wife* desires my daughter to send to Hanna that was
her mayd, now at Charltowne, to know if shee would dwell
with vs, for truly wee are so destitute (hauing now but an
Indian) that wee know not what to doe. Thus with my
deerest respects, I am Yours as you know, in all duty.
Hu : Peter.
Salem 4« Sept
* Feter*s flrst wife probably did not accompaDj him to this country. She appears to
have been living in the early part of the year 1637; as per Downing^s letter, ante^ p. 45.
Peter, in 1639, had married a second wife, who was the mother of his "only child," to
whom, in 1660, he addressed "A Dying Father's Last Legacy." — Eds.
102 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Honored Sir, — My sudden and humble request vnto
you is that you would bee pleased to accompany the
deputy in putting your hand and seale to the Testimony
will bee presented vnto you for Mr. Humfrey, now bound
for England with his sonne only with him, and a very
quiet contented mynd, purposing to returne in the Spring,
hauing left his family and estate in Godly mens hands.
I pray, Sir, fayle not herin. I meane the Country's Seale
to it. At next meeting I shall giue you better satisfaction
about himselfe and his departure. Thus with my humble
respects and hartyest loue I leaue you thus hastily saluted
& am Yours in all duty Hugh Peter.
Salem vlt: Sept:*
Your rundlet comes by the next.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To our noble Oouemor These dd. Boston.
Sir, — I humbly thanke you for your tender care of vs
to let vs to vnderstand how the Lord hath honored him-
selfe vpon these heathen. I am afrayd that these women
& children are not where they should bee, nor can I
foresee euents.
ffor this woman that troubles you thus: indeed shee
should haue any thing from mee were fit, but shoe hath
already bin very chargeable, & in conscience I cannot
answer her desire. Shee hath 4 spoones, six slighter I sold
* If we interpret the date of this letter to be the " last of September," it cannot refer
to Humfrey's voyage to England in October, 1641, Which is recorded by Winthrop; as Peter
had sailed for England the August previous. Does this refer to another visit by Humfrey
to England, or to a contemplated voyage never made? — Eus.
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 103
Mr. Endecot which are euen broken with thinnes ; & for
lynnen, it is most disposed of ; but I haue striuen to giue
her satisfaction by a letter to Mrs. Wilson. I desire my
cossin Stephen should pay her passage, & 4/ out of my
beuer ; and that shee may haue all conuenient content ; I
think a few words of your selfe would doe it.
I was at Ipswich where the towne haue dealt very nobly
with your son, & giuen him another farme neere the
towne called Castle-hill,* where hee hath 100 akers of
medow, & all intire to himselfe : but of this hee hath writ-
ten to you. I intend to bee with you on Monday. Still
remembring you all to him in whom I am,
Yours if any thing. H : Peter.
Saleh 5 day.
Mr. Endecot & Ancient Reade wonder at your bounty
in your graynes sent, etc.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To our Noble Oouemaur these present at Boston.
Right deere & Honorable, — I haue receiued yours,
and this bearer Mr. Knolls f coming to mee from Fascata-
way, and wholly depending vpon your selfe and mee for
some directions in his matters, I would in his behalfe
desire your wonted carefuU tendernes to which wee are
inuited by all the 3 parables in Luke 15. and heathens
teach some thing when they say Casar dando^ sublevando,
ignoscendo, etc.
I shall bee ready to attend your mynd for my coming
over about it at any tyme, and I suppose it were not
amisse I should bee there when hee speakes with the
• "less, Feb. 11, he" (John Winthrop.Jr.) "is granted Castle Hill, and all the meadow
and manh within the creek, if he lives in Ipswich." — FelV$ Ipgwich, p. 73. • Eds.
t Hansard Knollys. — See Winthrop's History of New England, i. d2ti. — Ei>h.
104 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
ministers, vnles hee be referd to vs this way, which I
should thinke farre better for the man. But the busines
will bee to satisfye the State, which how it will bee before
a Generall Court I cannot tell. I think dispatch will bee
comfortable for him. Captayn Vnderhill intends likewise
to come. I need not cast my drop into your Ocean, who
knowe how to deale in these matters, only I tender the
man etc.
I still beare my share with you, though truly I am bur-
dend in my spirit with your acknowledgments of I know
not what to call it
Wee are iust now about meeting Mr. Hubbard and 3
more of Ipswich to sell your sons Castle hill* to them, but
you would wonder to see their dodging. If they haue it
they must pay for it in some measure, else it were more
honorable for him to giue it.
Good Sir bee cheerfuU in the Lord, the whole world
shall change, but our God neuer: in whom I am
Yours or no Hu: Peter.
Salem 6® Sept
I pray exceedingly salute our worthy Sister etc.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Salem 6<> SeptL
Honored and deerest in the Lord, — Wee receiued
your basket of bounty and loue to those who must dye in
your debt, but leaue requitall of all to him who must dis-
charge our greatest skores. I had both written, and seen
you before now, but that deepe melancholy is getting fast
vpon mee agayne, and tethers mee at home, and much
* This sale would seem not to have been effected at this time; for it appears from
Fo}t*9 Ipswich, p. 78, that in 1646, Jan. 1, **he" (John Winthrop, Jr.) ** conveys his farm,
called Custle Hill, to his brother-in-law, Samuel Symonds." — Eds.
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 105
occasioned by my brethren ingaged before this time to
come in with the discharge of your matters, but they try
my patience in waiting. I hope not to bee long from you,
& the rather to aduise for Mr. John Winthrop going with
Mr. Bois, to which I wholly inclyne : it will bee vsefuU and
exemplary. One majTie occasion of my writing at this
tyme is in behalfe of Mr. Paddy, this bearer, who ear-
nestly desires some course may bee taken for what is due
from the Country to his father Freeman for his Armes they
had in the Pekot seruice, for which hee might haue had
40/, and now desires but 15/ of the Country, to bee payd
as they please for species. Good Sir, let him haue reliefe
by what meanes you can, synce you know the case and
this present Govemour doth not.*
I thinke I shall neuer leaue to bee troublesome vnto
you ; pitty and pardon, & salute your dearest, with all
yours. Our Strong and mighty Helper, the God of Israel
keepe vp your hart, & spirit, sweeten all your sowres,
euen all your pathos and carry you through all diflBlcultyes,
through Jesus Christ, In whom I am
Yours fidelissime H : Peter.
I take it Captayn Gibbons can tell best of these arms.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
For the WorshipfuU John Winthropj Esq. Ipstoich.
Deere Sir, — Wee are glad to heare of you, & my
wife intends to bee with you per first.
Your sister Symonds is deliuered last weeke of a dead
child, and is in much weakness, it came by a fall, let your
wife looke to herselfe. John Baker will tell you abun-
dance of ncwes from the bay. ffor Ipswich it will neuer
* This was in 1640, when Dudley was Governor. — Eds.
14
106 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
bee well till the Church goe on, aduise them to that if
you meane to save them. Wee are in good order here,
blessed bee the Lord. Continue your affection to him
who is Yours or nothing H: Peter.
Salem 2d day.
I must earnestly intreat you to giue Mr. Broadstreet 40Z
in come for me, or mony, it is for one goodman Tomp-
son of your towne. I will make the mony good here, or
any where. Salute your Betty & little Betty* from vs
all.
I haue sent you the booke of the proceedings at the
Court, which when it is coppyed out for your towne I
must haue agayne.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To my honored brotlier John Winthrop se : Esq. these present, in
Boston.
Honored Sir, — These are to accompany Mr. Knollis.
What aduise I gaue at my being there Mr. Wilson can
informe you, whose letter I would desire you to reade,
I being to giue an account to them that sent mee. Now
my earnest request is that this bearer and 3 or 4 more of
his frends may haue the liberty of sitting downe in our
Jurisdiction, hee may [be] vsefull without doubt, hee is
well gifted, you may doe well to heare him at Boston.
They there are ripe for our Gouemment as will appeare
by the note I haue sent you. They grone for Gouemment
and Gospell all ouer that side on the Country. I conceiue
that 2 or 3 fit men sent ouer may doe much good at this
confluxe of things. These will relate how all stands in
these parts. Alas poore bleeding soules !
* Winthrop*s wife and childf both named Elizabeth, are here referred to: the latter
was baptized in July, 1636. — Edh.
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 107
I haue desired Mr. Endecot to write to your gouemour.
I thinke this worke falls naturally vnder the care of the
Counsell. If Mr. Larkam say and hold, hee hath
promised mee to close with vs, but male audio. What
are men ?
I haue a neere Cossen, with him, a Justice of Peace's
daughter with him very hopefull, and as handsome as any
in the Country, 200? for present & hopes to haue 100/
more ; I wish your sons any would take her and it. I am
now seeking out a husband for her, but wish yours farre
better euery way. Shee is lately by her frends my kindred
commended to my care : I am sometymes thinking of
Thorn : Reade, though I haue my feares ; if you please
you may write me a word. Thus with my hartyest and
humble salutes I rest yours, as your loue hath made
me. H: Peter.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the right worshipfvU John WirUhrop Esqr this present
Boston.
Deerest Sir, — I should not haue needed your last as
a spurre to mee to write, had not my thoughts about your-
selfe bin so succesles that I lost all courage that way, and
am also at present fallen into a sore fit of my old hy-
pocondriacal melancholy, through cold and care. My
hartyest desires are for you and yours, and I could wish
I knew what to doe to compas my purpose.
What my aduenture was at Pascataway I suppose Mr.
Larkham hath told you, and if death preuent not, I shall
my selfe shortly. In the meane tyme remember mee
where you may doe mee the most good, & I shall striue to
retaliate.
The last newes sayes the Convocation made 17 new
108 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1645.
Canons, wherof one is that all ministers shall preach
2ce per annum for conformity, & 4 tymes for the
King's prerogative ; what past betwixt Mr. Williams at
Pascataway and my selfe I shall tell you. The Lord bee
with your spirits. Yours euer & euer
Hu : Peter.
Salem y\t Sept*
De nuptiis^ nihil habeo prater cetatem quod displicet^ vi-
dentur satis optandce.
Salute the good gentlewoman: & all with you.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP.
ffor Mr, John Winthrop, at Boston.
Honest Hart, — I must needs Salute you though but
in 2 or 3 words, desiring you to assure all that world that
I am coming to you & haue sent my wife before, for di-
verse reasons. Dr. Child is come, that honest man who
will bee of exceeding great vse if the Coimtry know how
to improue him, indeed he is very, very vsefull, I pray let
vs not play tricks with such men by our ielousyes.
I shall at my coming let you know I loue you & your
good wife. Salute her, Mr. Symonds & his, with all
friends, as if I named them all, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Wilson &
all Boston frends, all the elders & others whom you
please. I am Yours euer & euer
Hu: Peter.
Deale (?) 23 of June 45.
• Probftbly 1640. For farther inforniRtion on the subject of this letter, see Winthrop's
History of New England, il. 28, 29 (year 1641). The events recorded are before Aug. 8,
1641, when Peter sailed for England. ~ Eds.
1647-1 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 109
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
For Mr. John Winthrop the younger, cUr.
rOne lifie destroy edJ]
salute thee hartily, and doe profes I know not what to doe
for you, for truly I feare you want, as men of that quality.
The Lord doe good vnto you, and that is all I can say.
Wee haue here done & yet vndone. None will come to
you because you persecute. Cannot you mend it ] Your
brother Stephen* will bee Captayn of a Troope of horse
with vs. I am coming ouer if I must, my wife comes
of necessity to New England hauing run her selfe out of
breath here: you know all, the Lord teach me what to
doe. Wee are very hot vpon the West Indyes, and are
likely to doe something : you must take one. I wish your
father here in the house. Rainborowf is Major Generall
for Ireland. Send my brother to his wife & family. I
loue you & leaue you & am Yours as you know
Salute your good wife. Hu : Peter.
Obatesend 4 of 7ber4
Bee sure you neuer let my wife come away from thence
without my leaue, & then you loue me.
HUGH peter TO JOHN WINTHROP.
ffor Mr. John Winthrop the elder my honorable frend, in Boston.
Deere Brother, — My coming was resolued vpon by
this ship, but the Lord hath put in two impediments, the
one is my want of health which is much impayrd, and
21y my land given by the parliament is but euen now
* Stephen Winthrop went to England in 1645, and did not return. — Eds.
t Bainsborongh was assassinated Oct. 29, 1648. Stephen Winthrop's wife (Judith
Baiinsborough) was of the same family; probably his sister. — Eds.
\ 1646. — See Winthrop's Uist of N.K., ii. 351. — Eds.
110 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1647.
turning into mony. It is worth 211? per annum and I am
putting it of. By the next ship I intend to come, if God
giue any measure of strength, and your son Stephen stayes
with me to that end. I desire his wife nor frends may not
take it ill, for indeed he stayd not but vrged. For my selfe
1 intend New England shall share in my comforts and
wish men tender in forsaking it, I am sure my spirit these
2 or 3 yeers hath bin restles about my stay here, and no-
thing vnder heauen but the especiall hand of the Lord
could stay mee ; I pray assure all the Country so, for I
must write vnto your selfe now instead of many, being
surprizd as I am hauing a full purpose to come in this
ship really: my bookes you may tell the elders I shall
bring with mee and it may be some thing else, but truly
doe find things goe not well in my absence, and therfore
would bee glad to see what I haue disposed of by my
selfe. thus I Quaere
1. Why Mr. Payne of Ipswich should have 120 and od
pounds from my goods when neuer more then 60/ were
here demaunded?
2. AVhy concluded without a word from mee, or any on
this side the water for mee ?
3. Why my goods sold at halfe the value to pay him,
which they cost here ?
4. Why my wife should dispose of any thing of ray
goods without your order, or the deacons, etc ?
5. Why Rob: Saltonstall should trouble Shirt* of the
noate and others for 100/ his father owed mee for bread
for his family, and made mee be two yeers getting of my
due, which his son it seemes would haue payd back
aga)Tie, the attempt being monstrous thus to thinke to
cheat his fathers frends.
* Abraham Shnrt, the conveyancer; several of whose letters will be found among the
mUcellnneous letters in this collection, and to whose memory the late Mr. N. I. Bowditch
dedicated his Suffolk Surnames. For the action of the General Court in this case, see
Mass. Colonial Uecurds, vol. ii. pp. 168, 231. — Eds.
1649.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. Ill
6. Why I should pay so much mony for the Country
viz : 200/ and neuer considered of ? as Mr. Poccok sadly
complayns, and why Sherly should not haue his 110/ onn
agreament, vizt to relinquish the busines of Plymouth ? ♦
These things I leave to your wisedome, and desire you
to salute all magistrates and ministers as if I named them
all most hartily, whom I meane to see if I liue shortly.
I pray (Sir) haue an eye to my wife, if shee will come
hither I hynder not, but I thought shee might bee better
there. fFor things here, I have often written it vnto you
that England will haue v[er]y much worke to stand, all
manner of confusio[n co]ming vpon it.
Ah sweet New England ! & yet sweeter if diuisions bee
not among you, if you will giue any incouragement to
those that are godly & shall differ etc. I pray doe what
you can herin, & know that your example in all kinds
swayse here. Appeales will hardly bee ouerthrowne nor
doe I mynd it much as a thing you should bee troubled
about The Good Lord direct vs all to his praise, in
whom I am Yours euer Hu : Peter.
May 5, 47.
Salute my deere sister, all your children, all frends most
hartily.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
ffor Mr. John Wynthrop iunr, at Pequoit.
My DEERE Hart, — how desirous am I to come vnto you,
and how vn willing to stay from you, and indeed nothing
but this sad euill now befallen mee could haue stayd mee,
viz. my old distemper springing from many, many surfets,
oh that I were with you, and your good wife my deere
* See an order for the 8ettl«neDi of these claims, in Mass. Colonial Records, vol. ii.
p. 262. — Eds.
112 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1649.
daughter,* whom T pray salute from me hartily, if I come
I bring you & them a good remembrance, if I dye, I forget
you not, only take notice I loue you as myne owne soule,
and haue had thoughts, if thither I come, to spend some
tyme with you more than ordinary. Call your plantationf
London derry or what you please, it will giue no offence
here, and bee assured New England is a good country to
bee in, if you can bee quiet among yourselues. Excuse
my hast by this ship. My Cossen Stephen will bee honest.
Cos. Downing is in a tosse indeed, brother Weld perplexd
about coming to you. Live to Gods praise there, & you
need not be troubled. Thus with my deerest respects I
remayn Yours for euer, H: Peter.
London 15 of March.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINl^HROP, JR.
ffor John Winthrop Jan Esqr. with a [f\6ken in paper.
Deere Sir, — I feare you are angry because you doe
not heare from mee, nor I from you. I haue by Mr. Gott
orderd you what I haue in New England [aUneeffaced\
word I euer loued you and yours, and am truly sensible of
all your cares. Nothing vnder heauen hath more troubled
mee then that you had not my company into New Eng-
land with you. I haue sent you by this bearer a loade
stone which I pray keepe for mee if I come, if not it
is yours. Oh that I were [a une effaced^ my old malady of
the spleene, & neuer had hart or tyme to attend any
cure, that now I giue my life gone : & shall out line
my parts I feare. My hart is with my God & desire after
him in whom I am Yours euer Hu : Peter.
30 of April 49.
• Daaghter-in-law. — Eds.
t Doubtless New London ; where, Feb. 22, 1648-49, " the inhabitants did consent and
deAire that the plantation may be called London." — Coiifttfu** liittory of New Londom,
p. 59. — Eds.
1652.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 113
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
ffor my hon : frend John Winthrop iu : Esqr at Pequoit River
or elsewhere.
My DEERE Hart, — I salute you hartily, and yours as har-
tily with all yours & myne. I pray you to take speciall
notice, with Mr. Got,* of what I haue at Salem ; as also
100/ Mr. Downing s house is bound to me for, as also 20/
Mr. Endecot hovse, with all my other matters. My inten-
tion is you & yours should bee the better for it, as I have
signify ed formerly. Let Mr. Gott take the income of all,
& bee accountable, my child hauing another portion, which
I may yet doubt, I must mynd your family, whom I pray
salute in the Lord. All things here goe well. Wee are
begging all England ouer for N. E. Wee hope it may
come to some thing. One of our Colonnells hath begun
100/ or 10/ per annum etc. Oh that I euer left New E ;
or had neuer had this wife "f" so sent to me ! Oh deere Sir !
my dayes are gone : and I looke to my end apace. The
Lord bee with you & Your Hu : Peter.
17 of the 5 mon. 49.
Entertayne honest Sister Bowdech & her husband if
shee come to you.
HUGH peter to JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
ffor John Winthrop Esqr, at Boston or elsewhere, New England.
Deere Sir, — Yours I had, and am sorry I am not fur-
nished according to your desire as yet, & through many
bodily infirmityes am now much succumbing. My iudgment
is, you should come hither where you might many wayes
* Charies Gott was deacon of the church nt Salem. — Edb.
t Peter*!) ftecoud wife, Deliverance Siiclfiulii, becuine " distractetl." — Eds.
114 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1654.
liue comfortably. Your brother Stephen hues, & very
well, hee & I both concurre in your coining if [^©m] not, you
will haue some part out of my pittance. There to doe you
good, [tornj I shall not bee wanting vpon my first ability.
Things here goe exceeding well with vs, & euery day
grow better : my hast is great but my distemper greater.
Let your wife, sister Lake, & all with you haue my salutes,
had I a little ease I should prouide some tokens, but am
dumfounded yet lone you & am
Yours, H. Peter.
21. 2. 52.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
ffor John Wiivthrop Esqr in New England.
Deere Sir, — I salute you most hartily with all yours,
your Sister Symonds & Lake, with all the rest of ours.
I haue writ largely to Mr. Endecot concerning yourselfe,
but my counsell is you should come hither with your
family for certaynly you will bee capable of a comfortable
lining in this free Comonwealth. I doe seriously aduise
it : & you shall haue more by the next if you bee not
come away. G. Downing is worth 500/ per annum but
4/ per diem — your brother Stephen worth 2000/ & a
maior. I pray come.
I am yours euer, H. Peter.
10. 8. 52.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN W^INTHROP, JR.
For my hon /rind John Winthropj Esq, in New England,
Whitehall 10. 4. 54.
My WORTHY Frend, — I heard from you and your wife
also this last yeere, and if I delighted in writing long you
would haue some, but you know I doe not, and the many
1654.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 115
vnkindneses I had from New England hath much deadend
me in these things, rather contenting myselfe with what I
can doe here, then further to bee troublesome to them.
They owe me much mony, which I would freely giue to
your wife & children if they would pay it Wee have
still turnings here. John Lake is aliue and lusty. Your
brother Reade the Uke etc. For your wife's demand of 100/.
I shall not be idle therein. My charge is here so great &
my experience that I can doe little for my frends, being
opprest with myne owne & my brothers & sisters necessity,
yet I haue sent you a small token. I haue often wisht
you here, but synce the Gouemment grewe to such vncer-
taynty I was doubtfull, & am, & doe yet thinke you are well,
though Bushell is very earnest to haue you turn about his
mjTies of Siluer. Pray let vs know what & how you doe.
Mr. Got writes of the sale of my house, Mr. Downing is
not honest, owes mee 100/ for which his howse is bound
to mee. These are not good dealings. Mr. Endecot owes
mee mony, payes none. I payd 20/ in gold to Mr. Salton-
stall also for him, but hardly acknowledged: that also I
wish you had, with some of it for your sister Lake, but my
hast must bee excused.
I am Yours euer, H. Peter.
Salute your wife, children, sister Lake, &c.
HUGH PETER TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
ffor my honored friend John Winthrop, Esqr.
3d. 1. 54.
My DEERE Frend, — I haue had a great longing for
you here, but truly things are vpon such great vncertayntye
& changes, that I wish you & all frends to stay there &
rather looke to the West Indyes, if they remoue, for many
116 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1654.
arc here to seeke when they come over. I haue sent you
2 peeces of black stuffe, a peece of searge, & a parcell of
fyne lynnen, Mr. Stephen Winthrop, now Colonel, hath
sent you a peece of course cloth, all by the hand of Mr.
Norton of Boston, in a great chest of bookes sent agayne
by Sir Kenelme Digby, who longs for you here. I haue
little else. Your vncle Downing is at your brother, no pre-
ferment yet, nor debts payd. Wee feare wee shall breake
with France. Salute all with you most hardly. I wonder
they would sell my house at Salem to Mr. Endecot for
20/, wheras by my letters I gaue it you & all I had
there, in trust for my daughter* if shee came ouer, & if
not to you & yours, & that is my meaning, & pray you
to looke to it, for Mr. Endecot hath not payd me a penny,
owing mee much more.
I am yours, H : Peter.
I wish you had not medled with the French. Here
is 900/ per annum for the Indians, I wish it were implored
for the English poore there. I wish you all good. Pray
looke to my affayres at Salem & speake with Mr. Got
HUGH PETER TO CHARLES GOTT.
ffor my good /rend Mr. Ootte deacon at Salem now at Wenfuxm.
3. 1. 54.
My deere Frend, — I had yours, and truly doe louc
you hartily, though I haue bin some tymes troubled at
my busines having no returnes, & you selling my house
for 20/, & lending out my bookes & things & sending
home nothing to mee, but only what Spencer sent a note
of a colt & three sheepe etc. though I am no w^ay angry
* His only daughter, Elizabeth, by his second wife, and to whom he addressed
"A Dying Father's Last Legacy." — Eds.
1654.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 117
with you, for I loue you hartily, but great i)ayments haue
gone forth, you write, & truly I know no debts but such
as Mr. Payne made vpon mee.
My m)'nd is that Mr. John Winthrop might bee spoke
with about what I haue, to whom I assigned it long synce,
vpon some conditions, though : I profes nothing but want
of health (I thinke) could detajne me from New England :
such is my loue to the place, & lonely it will yet bee. I
pray doe but for mee, as I would doe for you. Mr. Downing
owd me 180/, no body would seise the horse bee made oner
to mee, & now hee is here, with him to make hast after
him. Salute your good wife, pay yourselfe for what charge
I put you to, & loue
Yours, Hu : Peter.
118 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
LETTERS OF MATTHEW CRADOCK .♦
MATTHEW CRADOCK TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To my Honored and worthei freynd the worship/uU John Win-
throp the elder Eaqr. Boston in Newe England. Per the Oeorge,
Mr. Ino. Seicerne whome God preserue.
Honored and my worthei Freynd, — With tender of
my best seruice I harteley commend me to you. I haue
received your letter of the 25 June by the Ship Falcon, by
which, as also by letter from Jno JoUiff I take good nottice
of your loue to me and reddyness to furder me in my
occasyons there for which I yeeld you most hartye thankes
and dessyre the contynuance thereof as occasyon shall bee.
Were my discovragments but of small consequence I
should bee verry loathe to bee troblesome. Errors I know
I haue comitted, maney and great, by reposing trust in
maney not worthey to bee trusted. Theise errors I must
suffer for, and ame willing to^beare, but would bee loath
to haue that which is bad to bee made worsse, and affliction
added to affliction. Truley I will yeet hope Mr. Mayhewe
will geeue mee that satisfaction in all which may geeue
resonable satisfaction to mee, & in so doinge I ame confy-
* Matthew Cradock was the first Governor of the Massachusetts Company, and a gene-
rous contributor to its support. He was a wealthy London merchant; and is said to have
been, at one time, a member of Parliament. He never came over to New England, but
had an agent and servants here to attend to his interest. He had a house at Mistick
(Mcdford), which is still standing, one at Marblehead, and another at Ipswich; and em-
ployed fishermen at each of these places. At his death he left a claim upon the Colony,
which, in 1648, amounted to £679. 6«. 4dL George Cradock, Esq., a gentleman employed
in public posts in the Province in the last century, was a descendant — 8u Young* $
ChromcU* of Mast., 137, 188; HutchintOH't Mat$,, i. 18. — Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 119
dent he will doe himselffe a great deale of right. It were
to much for me to relate all passages vnto you and loth I
ame to be therein oflfensyue to you with longe discourses,
but if it bee so that my seruant Jno. JoUifFe doe not re-
cieyue satisfaction to content lett me crave that favour of
you as to read oucr my letters wrote Mr. Mayhewe which
I sent him by Jno. JoUiffe & which I nowe send him by
this convayance. I must confesse in regard of the length
^of them it is to much treble I putt you vnto, and yeet
without hearing them read you can not, my selffe beeing
absent, vnderstand wherein I fynd my selffe agreyued
or whether that I propound & desyre to haue done be
resonable or not, and I shall not desyre in ought to bee
my owne Judge. And because I would bee the less troble-
some to you seeing Mr. Peirse had a great hand at his last
beeing in England, in my sending ouer so great an estate
thether as I ded last yeere & was not wanting to haue had
me sent as much this yeere. I wish that he also who is
an intymate Well-wilier to Mr. Mayhewe may seey what
I propound & wherein I fynd my selffe agreyued. And
as I cane haue no other accounts but by calculacion, that
the same may bee done with Judgment & vnderstanding
and with your approbacion and then I shall leaue you to
judge howe I haue thryuen and doe at present thryue in
Newe England, onely bee pleased, I pray you, if occasion
so requyre, to order Jno JoUiff [wi]th Mr. Pearse to take
some paynes to goe to the depth of my buiseyness, and
what can not appeare by accounts, that to estymat so as
may be equall & indifferent boeth for income & expence,
& where ought shall appeare difficult that you would bee
pleased to geeue them your aduize for the better cleering
of it, & [withjall to cast your eye vppon the chardges
shalbee layd vppon me by Estymate that the same doe
not exceede, whereby my loss should bee made heauier
then r[ea]lly it is, or ought to bee. Had I receued that
Correspondence from N. E. which I might justley haue
120 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
expected in the course of my dealing thether, the publique
had beene partaker thereof ere this more s[en]sybley, but
I haue not beene so happey. Yeet what shall I say, Mr.
Mayhewe is approued of all, and I desjTe [he] may still
contyneue so, & I [shjalbee harteley glad thereof as realley
wishing his good and welffare, but so as my welfare also
may subsist with his, I knowe noe liberty he hath to
trade in ought ffor himselfe, but the cleane contrary, by
our Covenants which my servant Jolliff cane she we you^
and they exspire not till about June next. The reading
of these 2 letters affore-mencioned will shewe you more
then I can heere express, and when your selffe shall haue
heard and seeyne aU, I ame perswaded you can not pro-
pound that ffor me to doe which I shall not bee reddy to
yeeld vnto, ffor yf Mr. Mayhewe doe realley approoue his
Integrity I shall desyre to contyneue him in my Imploy-
ment according to his owne offer by his Letters receiued
by this shippe, and as I knowe him abell for my buiseynes
so I ame perswaded when euer wee parte he will not ese-
ley fynd one so willing to doe him good as I haue beene,
and ame. I doe once more intreate your love, ffurder-
ance and advize in this buiseynes of myne which doeth
much conceme me to haue my affayres there setteled in
some good way, and so as I may boeth cleereley seey what is
become of my estate I haue or should haue there ; as also
howe for the tyme to come I may haue an equall and
ffayre carriadg of my buisejTies. I ame harteley glad to
heare of the good approbacion of our newe Gouvemour
there, Mr. Vane. The sicknes* heere weekeley increasing
wee haue noe relacion nowe to the Court, beeing in this
respect as banished men from thence, so as I make
questyon whether it bee knowen there as yeet, howeuer
I trust God will raise vp freyndes & meanes to furder &
aduanse his owne worke ; yea wee may bee confident
* The pln^tie, wliich prevailed in London in 1636, nnd of which 10,400 persons died in
tliat year. — Kus.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 121
thereof, he will neuer forsake vs if wee forsake not him,
and if God be with vs wee neyde not feare who is against
vs. I will heere conclude with harty commendations
from me & myne to your selfFe & yours, & will rest euer
in owght I may
Your assured louing ffreynde to bee Commaunded
Math EWE Cradock.
London, 13 Septemb. 1636.
[Sir, — I haue a purpose to apply my selfe to tjlledge
& incresing my stock of Cattell, and hauing had recourse
to a plase caled Shawe Shynn* where I heare none comes
but my selflFe, I desyre your ffauour when the Court shal-
bee moued in my behalfe, that I may haue 2000 Acres
there allotted to me where I shall flFynd it most conven-
vent flfor mee. I know the orders made heere in Court
allowe me maney thousand acres more then euer . I intend
to demand or looke after. This my suite I hope will geeue
offence to none, & when I shall putt vp a tenement & a
dame as I haue heerewith geeuen order thereabout, I
hope in a short tyme others will ffoUowe, if once a good
mynister bee plased there, and I ame perswaded the more
English Come is cherished, the better it wilbee for the
whole Plantacion. I once more take my leaue & Rest
Yours Mathewe Cradock.]
[The postscript which is included in brackets in cancelled in the ori-
ginal, as explained by the writer in the next paragraph.]
Sir, — I lyke my Implyments so well there as I desyre
to troble my selflfe less then I haue done, which hath made
mee [to] cross out this postscript, I not intending to haue
it mooued. God send me some meanes to dispose of that
I haue, that somewhat may come of it, towards my exceed-
ing great charge I haue beene & am at, my taxes in pub-
• Now Billerica. — Kds.
16
122 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
lique beeing to be great maney wayes, considering howe
my buseynes are there carryed by Mr. Mayhewe. I
send you herewith a letter date the 13 January, which I
thought to haue sent away then, but missed of convayance.
that written in the margent [was] by mistake & should
haue bene ' wTitten in Jno. JoUiffs letter. That you maye
judge of Mr. Mayhewes dealings by me I send herewith to
Jno. JoUifFe my chardge on him for what hath come
meereley to his hands whereby he is debtor to me besyds
the [in]crease of my Cattell & improuement of my grounds
& proffitt by the labors of seruants which if sett against
there chargs & other losses, yeet I should haue there aboue
1150[0]Z. if I be well dealt with, & whereas accordingley
I gave order to haue moneyes remitted home to mee in
steede thereof I ame charged by Tho : Mayhewe without
the knowledge of Jno. JoUifFe with great somes, whereas
my expresse order was he should doe nothing in my bui-
seynes without Jno JollifF's consent I must abrupt[ly]
breake of, but doe pray you with your best aduize to ffur-
der me in aught that may tend ffor my saffetey, by Mr.
Pierse I hope to inlardg, hauing caused this letter to be
returned me from Plymouth, whether I nowe send it to
be sent you by the George, Mr. Jno. Seueme. Thus
with my best Respects I rest
Your Worships to be commaunded
Mathewe Cradock.
London 21 February, 1636.
MATTFIEW CRADOCK TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Worthei Sir, — The greyfFe I haue beene putt to by the
most vyle bad dealinge of Thomas Mayhcw hath & doeth
so much disquiet my mynd, as I thanke God neuer aney
thing ded in the Ivke manner. The Lord in mercy ffreey
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 123
me from this, I absolutely fforbad chardging moneys from
thence or bu)ing aney goods there. I thanke God my
occasions requyred it not but I haue had great retumes
made mee from thence by meanes of goods I sent thither
by the direction of Thomas Mayhewe ffor aboue 5000Z in
the last 2 yeeres & geeuing to much credditt to his insyn-
nuating practises & the good opynion I by the reports &
aduize of maney & more especialley of your selfe, ded appre-
hend of him, but ffarr beyond all expectacion & contrary
to my express order he hath charged me with dyuers
somes & geeven bills in my name which he neuer had
order from me to doe, & that not for small somes, whereof
some partyculers are specefyed in the inclosed which I
pray you deliuer my servant Jno. JoUiff ; & good Sir lett
me intreate your selfe & those in authority there to take
some course that Thomas Mayhew may be answerable ffor
that estate of myne which my sayd seruant can showe
you hath come to his hands. This conveyance is vncer-
ten & therfore I shalbee breiffer then I would or my
necessety requyres but by Mr. Peirse, God willing, I shall
Inlardge, but I knowe you may by this seey & apprehend
my case. Bills come dayley almost presented to me of
one kynd or other without aney aduize, but from Jno.
JoUiffs aryvall he ought not to haue done any thing in my
buiseynes without his approbacion & consent, but when it
shall appeare ho we he hath dealt by me, you & all men
that shall seey it I ame perswaded will hardley thinke it
could be possible that a man pretending sincerity in his
actions could deale so viley as he hath & doeth deale by
me. This buiseynes is not to be delayed, if he can justefy
his actions it were to bee wished but not possible, Lett
me craue your fauour & the Courts so ffarr as you shall
seey my cause honest & just, & boeth the Court & your
selfe & the whole plantacion shall euer oblige me to be
Yours euer to my power Mathewe Cradock.
London 13 January 1636.
1*2 4: THE WIKTHROP PAPERS. [163(5.
Jno. JoLLiFE, — ffaylc not to send the sliipp Rebecka
Victualled for three monthes to Virginea to Mr. Thomas
Steggs, with some commoditty such as you shall vnder-
stand to be there most vendable fFor vallewe of 120/. or
loOl at most. You may Rate all 20 per cent more then
what ech cost per Inuoice sent from hence. Leaue the
Shipp wholey to Mr. Tho : Steggs disposing & if he send
ought back in her to you & Rich : Hoare (for so is our
aduize) ffollowe his order therewith & with the shipp as
neere as you cane. I wish Mr. Jno. Hodges to resvme
command and goe Master in her & that he obserue Mr.
Steggs order in her further ymplyment. Shee is to bee
victualled for three monthes & to haue all her ordynance
belonging to her with other necessaries whereof what all
is I desyre an Inuentory may be sent me and the Masters
hand to it Yours
Mathewe Cradock.
Jno. JoUiff writes mee the manner of Mr. Mayheues
accounts is, that what is not sett downe is spent : most ex-
tremeley I ame abused. My seruants write they drinke
nothing but water & I haue in an account lateley sent rae
Red Wyne, Sack & aqua vitse in one yeere aboue 300 gal-
lons, besids many other to intoUerable abuses, 101 for
tobacco, etc. Mypapers are misselayd, but if you call for
the coppyes of the accounts sent me & examine vppon
what ground it is made, you shall fjTid I doubt all but
forged stuffe. By Mr. Pierse I shall, God willing, inlardge,
meane while I euer rest in ought I may
Your worships at Commaund
Mathewe Cradock.
London 21 Febr. 1636.
1636.] THE WINTUROP PAPERS. 125
MATTHEW CRADOCK TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To my honored and much respected freind John Winthrop the
elder, Esqr, Boston in New England, By our goodfreynd Mr.
Wm Peirse, whome Godpreserue.
[The letter and postscript which precede the followin*^, in the origi-
nal, are copies of those dated 13 Sept. and 21 Feb., 1636; and are,
tlicrefore, not repeated.]
Laus Deo. In London, 15 March 1636, Stilo Anglio*.
WoRTHEi Sir, — All deue respects premised. The
afore written are coppyes of my former. Theise to accom-
panie our good frej-nd Mr. William Peirse by whome I
had a full purpose to haue sent you an Antimoniall Cupp*
which I make doubt whether I shall gett to send by him.
Yf I bee not missinformed the vsse thereof (I feare immod-
derat) was an occasion of shortening Sir Nathaniell Riche's
dayes, who hath made exchange of this liffe ffor a better,
ffor the pretence of the Dorchester men I knowe not
what to saie, I thincke if the trueth were knowen they
rather should bee indebted to vs. I ame sure by sending
the Company's shippe Lyon's Whelp for their occasions,
the Company lost much money, beside the burden, ende
commonley was layd on the Londoners : ffor my partyculer
I protest vnfeynedley to my best knowledge I ame out of
purse for the generall Company twixt 3 & 400/, & haue
bene so ffor maney yeeres, what recompence I shall haue I
know not, and it is not fytt aney pryuat man should beare
a burden the generall bodey of the Company ought to
beare. I will indeauour to bee further informed of this
buiseynes of theres if I cane, but I perswade my selffe if
aney such thinge w ere by order of Court, the Court bookes
* There is in the library of the Mnssachosetts Historical Society a carioas tract, entitled
"The Vnivertall Medicine; or, the Vertves of the Antimoniall Cup. ... By John Evans,
Minister, and Preacher of God^s Word. London, 1634,'* — which contains a minute ac-
coant of the efficacy of this medicinal afi^ent in the cure of various di»eai«es, but makes no
mention of cases like that of the unfortunate Sir Nathaniel Kicli. — Ki>s.
126 THE WINTHBOP PAPERS. [1636.
there will shewe it, and to my best remembrance they
willingley gaue what they had there to goe vppon ac-
coumpt of there Stock Intended, ffor my buiseynes with
Thomas Mayhewe I referre you to what is aboue written,
& what this bearer Mr. Peirse will showe and accquaynte
you with, & what I haue written to our Gouemour ♦ to
whome indeede I haue beene larger therein then I In-
tended. I desyre your, his, & the fFauour of the Court so
farr as my cause shall appeare honest and just, and I
harteley pray you aduize and fFurder my seruant Jno.
JoUifFe whereby hee may bee in possession of all my estate
there & that it may bee publiqueley knowen Mr. Mayhewe
neither had nor hath pouer or order to deale ffor me se-
thence the tyme of John JoUiffs arryuall there, otherwisse
then what is done with the knowledge, aduize and consent
of the sayd Jno. JoUiffe. It would bee to long to relate to
you my wrongs, and Thomas Mayhewes vniust and in-
direct dealings by me in a most high nature, manner and
measure, if truley knowen & vnderstoode, which I doubt
not but Mr. Peirse will at lardge accquaynte you with, and
I desyre he may bee imployed in helping to perffeckt
my accowmpts with him. I hope by the next shippe to
intreate a ffreynd that is mynded that way, if he do come
thether to helpe settell my account, and some course also
about my meanes I haue there before all bee consumed,
ffor insteede of benefitt by New England I suffer to ex-
tremley in my estate, as you will soone perseyue when you
vnderstand the trueth of all things. Excuse me I pray
you in beeing to troblesome to you heerein. I may not
omitt to accquaynt you with one passage touching the
generall, nameley of one Mr. Cleve and jSIr. Tucker who
this last yeere were with me and pretended great good to
our plantacion & great ffauour they could haue at Court,
& desired my approbacion of somewhat they intended,
• Sir Henry Vane. — Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 127
whereto I could say nothing till I saw what it was.
Wherevppon they brought me a writing which hauing
seeyne I vtterley dislyked & disavowed for hauing owght to
doe therein, but taking it to peruse before I would geeue
my answere, caused a coppy to bee taken which I send you
herewith. Sence Mooreton from them came to me on the
exchange, & Mr. Peirse beeing there, I hauing noe de-
sire to speake with Mooreton alone putt him of a tume or
2 on the exchange, till I ffound Mr. Pierse, & then caled
him to me, and in his presence disavowed to haue aney
thing to doe therein, for Moreton would haue had me
pay the chardge or premiss some such matter in taking
out somewhat vnder the scale this beeing done one or
about the 9 January last, vppon the exchange, as Mr.
Pierse cane relate vnto you.
There is 4 or 5 sommes of 251 a peece owing to pryveat
men borrowed on the Companies seale, whereof there
were maney more, but it seemes all paid saue th[ei]se, and
theise I wish were paid, the not doing whereof by ill
mouthes reflects [to] much to the disparagement of the
Companie ; Take it to hart I pray you, ffor you would
and the Companie would if they knewe & heard that I
doe & must heare to my greyffe & disdayne of there
base languadge of vs : ffor my partyculer though I beare
alreddy euen by that the generall Company owes me
as vouched before more then to much, yeet were I not
ouerpressed by my heauey burdens, there lode on me by
T. M. I would stop some of there mouthes if not all,
though I paid it out of my owne purse, but I ame fforsed
otherwise. God forgeeue him that is the cause of it. I
will heere conclude, beseeching the AUmightey to blesse
with good suckcess all your Indeuours. I doe thinke
Mr. Gouemour* shall doe himselffe a great deale of Right
to c[o]m[e] for England as soone as his yeere is exspired
• i.e., Vaiie. — Eds.
128 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1639.
and I ame to [co]nfident if he negleckt it, it will exceed-
ingley preiudice him in his outward estate, I knowe you
wish him realley well. Consider seriouslei of it I pray
you & aduize him fFor his good, wherevnto the Lord
direct you & him, & so I euer Rest
Your Worships assured to be Coma[nde]d
Mathewe Cradock.
I thinke I shal bee forsed to bee a suytor for some land
at Shaweshynne, the best of myne as I ame informed
neere my house beeing allotted to Mr. Wilson & Mr.
Nowell,* therefore pray your furderance wherein shalbee
needfull. Yours Mathewe Cradock.
I pray you be plesed to lett Mr. Peirse amongst others
shewe you Mr. Palmers letter of Barnstable, whereby you
will find a Strang passadge of Thomas Mayhewes by me.
I maruell Mr. Hayne would drawe him into such a buisey-
nes, but Mr. Haynes I am perswaded thought Mr. May-
hewes delings to bee others then they will appeare when
they are vnmasked.
MATTHEW CRADOCK TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the Bight Wbrship/tdl Jno. Winthrop Eaqr, Goiiernour of Lon-
dons plardacon in the McUtachusetta bay in New England in
America. — dlr.
Per the Desire of New England, Mr. John Cutting y whome Ood
preserue.
Right Worshipfull, — My Loue & seruice presented to
you. Yours of the 8. 8th I have receiued by my Cussen
Cooke by which & other relacions I fynd my selfe still grow
* See Mass. Colonial RecorJx, i. lU. — Eds.
1639.] THE WINTIIROP PAPERS. 129
deep indebted unto you, which I wish it lay in my power to
requite. I was lateley caled vppon by ]Mr. Mutyes, Clarke
of the Counsell for answere to the letter sent you, but I
replyed I had received none, & sence heard noe more
thereof from him. The Writts for a parlaiment are nowe
abroad. I heare there hath beene great adoe at Westmin-
ster theise 2 dayes about there burgesses, & not yeet agreed
on. Come tuesday next the burgesses of London are to
bee chosen, beeing the 4 March. God in mercy dyrect
them & the whole kingdome in theire choise, that this
parlament may produce good to the Realme ; approching
euills being much to be ffeared. Great preparacions are
in hand against the Skotts as is doubted, God in
mercy graunt all may bee concluded in pease. Some
3 dayes past this Inclosed* was & still contynues to
bee openley sould & are exceedingley bowght vp. In
pervsing of it you will be able to judge more. Yf you
shall thinke of owght fitt to bee mooued in parlament,
consider seriousley of it with the Court there, to w^home
I pray you tender my best seruice with all deue respects
and vppon nottice of your desires I doubt not but to fjnd
meanes to furder the same, wherein my best indeuours
shall at least wise not bee wanting. I ame behoulding
to the Court, & I harteley thanke them for easing me in
the cuntrey rates this last yeere, Truley as I once de-
lyuered at a full boord at Counsell tabell, so I haue great
cause to accknowledge God's goodness & mercy to me in
inabling me to vndergoe what I haue & doe suffer by New
England, & as I spake then openley so I profess sincereley,
yf my heart deceyue me not, I joye more in the expecta-
con of that good shall come to others there when I shal
bee dead & gone, then I greyue for my owne losses, thowgh
they haue beene verry heauey & greate, seeing God hath
inabled me to beare them. I vnderstand there is volun-
* The article enclosed cannot be identified at this late day. — Eds.
17
130 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1039.
tary contribucions towrds a Colledge in Cambridge, which
I must confess is a worthey worke. I pray your wor-
ship bee pleased to mooue the Court to cleere that debit
dewe to me by the Cuntry, out of which money I ame
content and doe ffreeley geeue ffyftey pounds to the sayd
Colledge & for the aduansment thereof;* I shall not troble
you further at present but wish some serious course might
be thought of howe retumes may bee prouided whereby
trade may bee incoraged. I speake not for aney partyculer
end of my owne, but for the publique good & ame of opy-
nion to cherish a Magazine for ffish to bee the oneley way
by Gods assistance. The well ordering of it is all, & noe
better meanes I thinke then that some beginning bee made
without expectacion of present proffitt oneley, that the
ffishermen may be assured the ffish shalbee taken of there
hands as ffast as they take it. This by degrees will drawe
ffishermen to plant themselues there, & some must be
dealt withall to begin to plant & to haue incoragement
herein ; but I submit to grauer judgments of your selfe
& those there who are better able to judge what may bee
done. Next heerevnto pipestaues if the tymber be fytt
when well sesened would be thought vppon. I craue
leaue & with tender of my seruice & best respects shall
euer Rest Your worships to be comaimded
Mathew Cradock.
London 27 ffebr. 1039.
Remember my loue I hartely pray you to Mr. Downing.
I doubt I shall not haue leisure to write him hereby. My
selfe, wiffe, & mother desire to be remembred to your
selfe and Mrs Winthrop.
• No mention is made, in the early history of Harvard College, of the liberal contribu-
tion for its establishment which Cradock here offers. — Edb.
1634.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 131
LETTERS OF JOHN ENDECOTT .♦
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
lb my Deare dk right tvorthie ffriend John Wirdhrop Junior f
Esqr. dd.
Dearest Sir, — I writt vnto you by Mr. Babbe wherein
I gaue you full commission to sell my liowse. And I doe
by theise second it againe, desiring you to sell it to an
honest man, else not to sell it. The price I writt was
250/i, what aboue you can. And if you see good you may
abate some of it. I haue giuen order to Thomas Eead
who is now in England to finde out a chapman if hee can,
as also to Mr. Peters in Holland, and haue written to him
to make you acquainted with their proceedings that there
be no wronge don to any. If God should so order that
you can sell it, I pray you do so much as to certifie soe
much by letter to Mr. Peters in Holland, who is at Roter-
dam. There is no newes heere, all your flWends are well.
We had the greatest snow fell the xxixth of the 9th moneth
that I haue scene yet since I came into the Land. The
* John Endecott wai one of the six original patentees of the Massachusetts Territory,
granted 19th March, 1627-8. In June of this year, he embarked, with other colonists, in
the ** Abigail," for New England; and arrived at Salem on the 6th September. On the
confirmation of the patent, 4th March the following year, Endecott received from the com-
pany in England a commission as ** Governor of London's Plantation in Massachusetts Bay
in New England;" which office he held until the transfer of the General Government, and
the arrival of the company under Winthrop, in 1630. He afterwards served as Deputy-
Governor four years, and as Governor sixteen years; being at the head of the administra-
tion a longer time than any other under the old patent. He died 15th March, 1665, aged
seventy-seven. — See Winlhrop'i Hitt. of N, £., i. 2G ; Yming^i Chron. of Mau.^ paitim. —
£l>B.
t J(Am Winthrop, Jr., at the writing of this letter, was in England. — Eds.
132 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
Crosse is much stood for, & I ame like to suffer in it*
The Lord his will be done. My wiefe remembers her loue
to you & Mr. Williams. The good God bring you back
againe in saftie to vs. To whom I committ you & rest
Your assured loving ffriend & brother in the Lord
Jesvs. Jo: Endecott.
Salem the 8th of the 10th moneth 1634.
I haue written to Mr. Revell concerning my howse, it
may be hee will buy it. If you please you may speakc with
him.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the right Worship/uU John Winthrop Esqr. Cfouemour dd.
Dearest Sir, — The bearer heereof Francis Felming-
ham, being husband to the eldest daughter of Beniamyn
Cooper deceased, who (as you haue already beene in-
formed) dyed intestate in the way overbound to this place,
doeth in the right of his wiefe & sonne, clajme his right
in the goods & chattells of the said Beniamyn ; the rather
for that the said Beniamyn gaue him no portion with his
daughter. I therefore haue addressed him to your selfe
to giue him some satisfaccion in that behalfe. I haue
caused the order made in this particular to be put in prac-
tise that the goods may not come to dammage, and that the
younger daughter f be prouided for. But I conceaue that
Scruggs, with whom the younger daughter is, will not be
a convenent Guardian for her, both in regard of his judge-
ment & his & his wifs breedinge, & therefore to take some
• A short time previous to this, Endecott had ** defaced the cross in the ensign ; '* and,
at the next March Coart, he was called to answer for it. — Winihrc^p'i HisL of N, A*., i. 146,
160. — Eds.
t See letter of Emanuel Downing to John Winthrop, in this volume, p. 66 ti ttq,—
El>8.
1638.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 133
other when we shall meete. The wiefe of this Francis
Felmingham (as I ame infonned) is one that feares God.
And her ffather brought her husband & her ouer vppon his
owne chardge, and did intend to prouide for them heere.
Having nothing else at present but my due respects vnto
your deare wiefe, I leaue you to the Almighties guidance
& blessing, resting
Yours if any thing Jo: Endecott.
Salem this 15 of the 6th moneth 1637.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Dearest Sir, — The severall reports of your sick con-
dition since I came home have bene so divers, that I can-
not tell wether my feares or my hopes of your recovery
have been the greatest. Though when I came from you,
your phisick had wrought so kindly made mee scarce to
doubt of the best effects. My truest love makes mee feare
what my best hopes would willinglye carry mee through,
especially when I consider the further imployment the
Lord hath yet for you heere amongest his people. When
the worst tidings come I am yet comforted in this, that hee
that giveth both health and salvation to his people, heareth
in heaven, and is overcome by his poore wrestlers here on
earth. Such thoughts I have had of Gods dealings with
you, and with us all in visiting you at present, and what
his meaning might be therein. But his thoughts are
aboue our thoughts, and hee is onely wise. Sure I am he
will doe that which shall be for the glory of his owne
name, the true comfort and the good of his people. We
have had many former experiences of Gods great mercies
unto us in divers great deliverances since we came over,
and why might we not expect that mercy also, even your
deliverance from death. Surely it was not our worthynes
that procured the former, and I still hope that our un-
134 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1638.
worthiness (though it might justly) shall not bereaue us of
this latter. Hee that raised up Lazarus can (why shall I
not say will ?) also restore you unto us. Meethincks when
I loock upon all things as they now are amongst us, I
might be- confident herein, witch the Lord in mercie
graunt, if it stand with his good pleasure. I longe to see
you, and would er this have bene with you, could I have
conceaved myself to be any way usefull to you, and would
however had not Mr. Peters illness onelv detavned mee,
for hee hath bene very ill. But I hope the worst is past,
though hee be as sick in his thoughts as ever. We both
resolve the begininge of the weeke to visitt you. In the
meane while I commend and commit you into the armes of
our deare and loving Father, the God of all our consola-
tion, health, and salvation ; beseeching him to make your
bed for you in your sickness, to comfort you in your greatest
trialls and anguishes, to strengthen you in your greatest
weakenesses, to stand by you as longe as you live, that you
may live longe amongest us, if it be his bleassed will, to his
praise, and at length to rest with him for ever in glorie, for
the Lord Jesus Christ his sake, amen, amen.
Yours truelie whiles I live Jo : Endecott.*
Salem the 13 of the 3d. moneth 1638.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the right WorshipfuH our trudy Honored Gouernour John
Winthrop, Eaqr, del.
Dearest Sir, — I humblie thanck you for your last
loving lettre. I will not at present reply any thinge. It
• The above is from an old copy, evidently taken from the original. Concerning the
subject-matter of this letter, Winthrop, under date of May 2, records : " At the Court of Elec-
tions, the former Governor, John Wiuthrop, was chosen again. The same day, at night, he
was taken with a sharp fever, which brought him near death; but many prayers were put
np to the Lord for him, and he was restored again after one month." — IFiU. of N, £,
i. 265. — Kdj*.
1639.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 135
is well that your selfe & others of God's Children with
you are satisfyed in that dismission. I eonfesse I yet ame
not, but more heereafter of this particular. At present I
ame bould to entreate your fauour in a case of Mr.
Bishopps the bearer heereof. It is a case of conscience.*
I haue laboured to giue him the best satisfaccion I can, but
it seemes hee is not satisfyed. I hope that hee is one truely
fearing God & therefore I desire much, (if God see it good)
hee may be satisfyed in his scruples & feares. It concemc
chiefiie the Magestracie concerninge their power in matters
of Gods \\'orshipp. I leaue him to state the question, that
you may the better satisfie him & the better understand
him. As also if you please to take in the helpe of Mr.
Cotton, whom hee doeth much deseruedly reverence ; as
also your good pastor, that at least hee may be convinced
of his error. Kindnes doeth much prevail with him. This
journey now into the bay is of purpose to seeke light as
hee saith. The Lord giue him Ught, if it be his will. Hee
is come of from his former judgment, that sanctification
is not an euidence of our good estate. It may be hee may
be brought of of this also. This being all at present, but
my true seruice to your selfe & dearest yoakefellow, I com-
mend you to the blessed protection of the Almighty & rest
Yours euer Jo : Endecott.
29th of the 8th moneth 1638.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Dearest Sir, — Vnderstanding by diners heere that
Mr. Eaton* hath ingaged himself to diners within this Juris-
diccion in great sommes of money, as also abused others by
• Beference is here made to Nathaniel Eaton, the schoolmaster of Cambridge ; concern-
ing whom more will be seen in a letter of his brother, Theophilus Eaton, among the
miscellaneous letters in this volume. For a furtiier account of the misconduct of this
unhappj roan, and the proceedings consequent thereon, see Winthrop^s Bitt, of N, E,,
i. ao»-813; Man. Colonial Recordt, i. 276, 277. — Eds.
»•
136 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1639.
his base cariadges & now escaped the hands of such offi-
cers as were sent after him ; I thought it my dutie to write
vnto you onely to demaund whither it be not needfull to
send after him where hee is gon, ffor I ame ceitainely
informed that hee is gon in Neles barke to Virginiea.
Now if you & the Deputie thinck meete to send to the Gou-
ernour & State there to send him back, together with one
Samuel Eale, a man of Mr. Natha Rogers, which Nele hath
caryed with him : (though hee was informed whose seruant
hee was, as Mr. Nathaniell Rogers tells mee) Mr. Younge
his shippe is like to stay thise 2 or 3 dayes yet, who is
bound for Virginea. I pray you if you thinck it meete &
fitt that you will be pleased to send with what speede you
can : I thinck if there be no other effect of it yet it will
satisfie many men of the care this State hath of the welfare
of their members. But it may doe the partie good to
bring him vnder God's ordinances, & it may be a meanes
of procuring parte at least of their estates who haue
trusted him, as also prevent him from wronging others
where hee may come. But I leaue all to your wise &
Christian consideracon : and rest thanckfuU vnto you for
your louing tokens. I shall neuer come out of your debt.
I must leaue another to repay all into your bosom, our
good God, to whose blessed protection I leaue you.
euer remayning Your Worshipps trucly
while I ame Jo : Endecott.
10 of 8ber 1639.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the right Worahipfull & my trudie honored ffriend Jo : Win-
thropf JEsqr. Oovemour, dd.
Dearest Sir, — What construction you may put vj^on
my silence I dare not conclude, but I hope the best. The
1639.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 137
wise man saith that a ffriend loueth at all tymes, and a
brother is borne for aduersitie. And heere is my griefe,
that I cannot shew my selfe either, as I desire or as my
dutie binds [m]e. I cannot excuse my not writinge (though
not out of neglect). But the present want of a more reall '
comfort & effectuall expression of my loue & seruice hath
hithervnto hindred mee. If I should say I doe not truelie
& heartilie reverence & loue you & yours, I should speak
against my conscience. Yet I cannot satisfie my selfe with
sole verball expressions. But I desire to waite vppon God
who will in his tyme bring all our matters to passe, & work
all our works for vs. I haue had many sad thoughts about
your affliccion* yet I neuer doubted to this howre of your
comfortable deliuerance. I ame thinking sometimes that
the Lord is trying of the whole Countrie, not but that hee
knowes their hearts &c. well enough, but hee will haue you
to see their loues & affeccons towards you also. Some-
times I ame thinking hee is vppon the tryall of your selfe
in the exercise of your faith & patience & other graces :
that as you haue bene beneficiall & helpfuU all your t\me
since you came over, in the course hee had sett you, now
hee will make you beneficiall another way to vs all in an
exemplarie cheerefull vndergoinge of Gods afflicting hand
in wisdom & patience. Sir let mee say thus much to
you, that your last sicknes did you not good alone, but
many others also, obseruinge the Lords guidinge of your
spiritt vnder it : I blesse the Lord I can truely say I
gained by it ; & I know some others that exprest the same.
This I am confident in. The Lord is now louinge of you
deerely, and his corrections are the corrections of a louing
flFather. If hee will haue you to be poore for a little while
it is to make you richer hereafter, not onelie heere as hee
did Job, but for euer heereafter to all eternitie. I ame
• A further reference to Winthrop's affliction Rt this time, occasioned by an " unfaith-
ful senrant," may be seen in an admirable letter of Edward Winslow, written this same
month, in Hutchinson's Collection of Original PHi)er!«, p. 110. — Eds.
18
138 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1639.
glad to heere you are chierfull, yet I know (in respect of
others) your cares cannot be a few & I feare griefs also.
The Lord our good God in mercie cary you through them
to his praise & your true comfort I should haue bene
with you at Court, but I ame aduised by all my friends to
stay at home this tj^me. And I was the more easilie
drawen vnto it, because I finde my selfe worse & worse
within this sennight then I haue bene this moneth : my
cold which I haue had this moneth or 5 weekes increasing
vpon mee, & head out of order vpon euery little wett in
my feete. I therefore shall desire you good Sir to excuse
mee to the Deputie & the rest of the Court, beseeching the
Lord in mercie to sitt amongest you & to guide you all in
his feare to doe his will. To whose blessed protection I
committ you and rest
Your Worshipps truelie & vnfeigned, whiles I ame
Jo: Endecott.
Salem the 2d of the 12 moneth 1639.
Myne & my wiefs service remembred to Mrs. Wintrop
your deare yoakefellow & to Mr. Jo : Wintrop & his wdcfe
& our true loues to all yours with you. Your sister's sonne
is named after your name — John.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the rigfU Worship/uU & my rmich honoured jfriend John Win-
throp Esqr. deliuer theise at Boston.
Dearest Sir, — I haue according to your desire aduised
with Mr. Do\vninge & Mr. Hawthorne concemingc Mr.
Peter his voyage for England. And we haue imparted
our thoughts each to other about- it. And we haue (ac-
cording to the tynie) considered ffirst of the proiect it selfe
& 2dlie of the persons to be imployed about it. ffor the
proiect (if we mistake it not) viz. ffor an agent or agents to
1639.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 139
be imployed by the Country or Counsell to procure men or
money or both for vs from England, wee (submittinge to
better judgments) thinck it may proue more hurtfull then
helpefull vnto vs diners wayes. fFor ffirst it will conferme
my Lord Say and others of his judgement that New Eng-
land can no longer subsist without the helpe of old
England ; espetiallie they beinge already informed of the
forwardnes of diners amongest vs to remoue to the West
Indies because they cannot heere maintayne their families.
2dlie. It is liklie to tend to the dishonour of God, when
ill affected persons shall vnderstand that our necessities
are such as we are forced to seeke for reliefe as before.
3dlie. It may be a meanes (instead of sending over more
persons & money vnto vs) of discouraginge & diuerting
both from vs. The report of our pouertie having bene al-
readie a manifest cause of debarringe most from vs. 4thlie
It is to be feared that vnlesse the money we exp[ect they]
would soUicit for, be freelie giuen vs, it will rather im-
pouerish vs, & so bringe dishonour to God by such ingage-
ments not duely satisfyed then doe vs good, though it
should come vppo[n] easie tcrmes. Plimmoth plantacion
may giue vs some light herein. But to looke amongest
our selues, if there were noe other ground but this, the due
consideration how vnprofitablie the monies we haue had
haue bene layd out ; as namelie, in wines & liquors, &
English prouisions of dyett & vnnecessarie brauerie in
apparell, all which tends to the scandall of religion &
pouertie : much more might be said.
Yet thus farre we thinck Gods prouidence might be
serued, that if priuately some Godlie wise men in seuerall
townes were spoken to (who are well knowen in England, &
haue bene men of eminency & esteeme amongest them, as
Mr. Cotton, Mr. Ezek: Rogers, Mr. Norrice, & many others
such) to write to their acquaintances who are likelie to doe
vs good, by way of counsell to aduize them, that it might
be pleasing to God to further the work of the Lord heere.
140 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1639.
by their purses & persons, &c. This we thinck wilbe more
effectuall then the other.
Touchinge the persons some of them who are thought
to be most fitt to be imployed in this dissigne, doe thinck
(with submission) most vnfitt, which we are assured you
will also be of our mjudes, when we shall speake together,
but I forbeare to write, for letters may miscarry, Onely in
generall to take notice, that they are men well affected to
the West Indies. Other thinges hereafter. These few
quaeres I propose to your best thoughts.
1 Quaere. Whither prajinge & waytinge (as the case
stands) were not more agreeable to our state & condition
then to ninne vnder so many dangers to relieue our selues :
the Lord hauing hitherto bene verie good vnto vs, beyond
expectation.
2 Quaere. Seeing it is likelie that the merchants in
England & others are lookinge this way alreadie, whither
it be not a forestallinge of the pr[o]uidence of God to
run before it, & to hasten the worke our selues [which]
the Lord would better effect in his tj^me that his hand
might be seene in it.
3 Quaere. Whither it be not somewhat preposterous to
goe from a place of safetie prouided of God, to a place of
danger, vnder the hand of God to seeke reliefe for vs.
4 Quaere. Whither it be proper fo[r [tornj mijnister
to leaue his worke & to attend to secular businesses
which may be done by others. Whither it be not some-
thing Jesuiticall.
5 Quaere. Whither the noise of procuring money out
of England will not procure with it much envy from that
State, & stirre vp against vs & the godlie there, the chiefest
amongest them. Moneyes being denyed them by such
men in case of such danger & waighty affaires in hand
there.
6 Quaere. Whither our scarcitie of money leads vs not
rather to some more frugall course heere at home & to the
1640]. THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 141
strict reformation of the mispending of money then to seeke
abroad for more to maintaine vs m our disorders, which I
feare will hardlie be avoyded.
7 Quaere. Whither there will not be more peace vnto vs
& blessing vppon vs in a patient waiting vpon God then in
a (seeming at least) distrust of his providence.
These thinges I leaue to your more serious considera-
tions : the Lord in mercie direct you in all, to whose blessed
guidance & prcseruation I leaue you, with my due & best
respects & seruice to your selfe & deare yoakefellow, &
rest
Your worshipps truelie & heartily euer to be com-
maunded Jo: Endecott.
Mr. Steephens man Anchor I haue called before mee a
moneth since & I haue examined him, & threatened to haue
him to the Court, fearing hee should not speake the whole
trueth but conceale something. Hee cannot witnes of
any miscariadge towards Bennetts wiefe* [several words effaced^
But I gaue him not an oath because hee professed hee
could not witnes any such thing in the least measure. Yet
if this will not satisfie, vppon your intimation I will giue
him an oath.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Dearest Sir, — Hearing of the remarkable stroake of
Gods hand vppon the shippef & shippes companie of Bris-
toU, as also of some Atheisticall passages & hellish profa-
nations of the Sabbaths & deridings of the people & wayes
of God, I thought good to desire a word or two of you of
* Elizftbetli Bennet was " censured to be whipped for her unchaste miscarringe," by the
Court, 80th July, 1640. This letter must have been written before or about that time. —
Eds.
t This probably refers to the ship " Mary Rose," which " was blown in pieces with her
own powder, being 21 barrels," in the harbor of Charlestown, on the 27th of July, 1640.
Endecott*s letter bears date the day after the occurrence. — See Winthrap's IHtt of N. /u,
ii. 11, 72, 74. — Eds.
142 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
the trueth of what you hauc heard. Such an extraordinaiy
judgment would be searched into, what Gods meaninge
is in it, both in respect of those whom it concemes more
especiallie in England, as also in regard of ourselues. God
will be honred in all dealings. We haue heard of seue-
rall vngodlie carriadges in that ship, as, ffirst in there way
overbound they would constantlie jeere at the holie bre-
thren of New England, & some of the marriners would in a
scoffe ask when they should come to the holie Land ? 2.
After they lay in the harbor Mr. Norrice sent to the shippe
one of our brethren vppon busines & hee heard them say.
This is one of the holie brethren, mockinglie & disdaine-
fuUie. 3. That when some haue bene with them aboard
to buy necessaries, the shippe men would vsuallie say to
some of them that they could not want any thinge, they
were full of the Spiritt. 4. That the last Lords Day, or
the Lords Day before, there were many drinkings aboard
with singings & musick in tjmes of publique exercise.
6. That the last flfast the master or captaine of the shippe,
with most of the companie would not goe to the meetinge,
but read the Booke of common prayer so often over that
some of the company said hee had worne that threedbare,
with many such passages. Xow if these or the like be
true, as I am persuaded some of them are, I think the
trueth heereof would be made knowen, by some faithfull
hand in BristoU or else where, ffor it is a very remarkable
& vnusuall stroake. Pardon I pray you my boldnes heere-
in. You shall command mee in anv seruice I can doe.
I write the rather because I haue some relation that way,
& shall therefore be glad to be throughlie informed of
theise things. This bein all at present, I leaue you with
the Lord, desiring myne & my wie[f 's] hcartie loue & ser-
uice to be remembred to your selfe & your dearest yoake-
fcUow, & rest
Yours euer assured Jo : Endecott.
Salem the 28th of the 5th moneth 1G40.
1640.] THE WINTHROr PAPERS. 143
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the right Worshipfull <& my worthie & much honoured ffriend^
John Winthrop Esqr, at Boston, dd,
Deare Sir, — I called our towne together before your
Lettre came seeing the spoile of timber which might seme
for many good vses. And the towne agreed not to cutt any
great tj-mber which is fitt for shipping planckes or knees
&c. nor any for clapboard within twoe miles of the towne
eury way, nor to fell any other timber but for their owne
priuate vse. I think it were well if the Generall Court
would make provision heerein. I pray you Sir if you heare
any certaine newes by any Lettres conceminge the taking
of Newcastle & Durham, and the winter parliament or any
other newes out of England, that you will be pleased to
let mee vnderstand of it. All the newes comes to your
partes first
I am told that you are sollicited in a busines conceminge
the girle ♦ which was put to my keepinge & trust, whose
estate was also committed to the trust of Mr. Hathorne
[and] Mr. Batter. I have not bene made acquainted with
it by you know whome, which if there had bene any such
intendment I think it had bene but reason. But to let
that passe, I pray you aduize not to stirre in it, for it will
not be effected for reasons I shall shew you afterwards.
The Lord in mercie keepe you & yours, to whose blessed
guidance I committ you & rest.
Yours truelie & heartily euer to commaund
Jo: Endecott.
28 llmo. 1640.
* See a letter of Emiinuel Downing to Gov. Winthrop, pp. 5C-58, and also a former
letter of Endecott, on p. 132, of this volume. — Eds.
m THE WINTHROF PAPERS. [1640.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the Worshipfidl my trudie honoured ffriend John JViuthrop
Senior Eaqr dd.
Dearest Sir, — Both your Letters I receaued, for
which I humblie thanck you. And in answere to them
both thus. I shall (according to your desire in the one)
call the old planters together assoone as convenientlie I
can. And we will recollect what the Lord shalbe pleased
to bring to our memories. And with what speede I can I
shall send it you. I feare it will not suddainelie be done,
because they Hue at their farmes, but I will hasten it what
I can.
Touching that in the other about Rebecca Cooper,* the
Lord knowes I haue alwaies resolucd (& so hath my wiefe
euer since the girl came to vs) to yelde her vp to be dis-
posed by yourselfe to any of yours if euer the Lord should
make her fitt & worthie, & you accept of, which also I
know Mr. Peters can & will fully satisfie you in from both
our expressions from tyme to tyme. And that is our pur-
poses & resolutions still, if God hinder not. Now for the
other for whom you writt. I confesse I cannot freelie
yeald therevnto for present, for theise grounds, ffirst The
girle desires not to marry as yet 2dlie Shee confesseth
(which is the trueth) herselfe to be altogether yet vnfitt for
such a condition, shee being a verie gerle & but 15 yeares
of age. 3dlie When the man was moued to her, shee
said shoe could not like him. 4thlie You know it would
be of ill report that a girle because shee hath some estate
should be disposed of so younge, espetiallie not hauing
any parents to choose for her. ffourthlie I haue some
good hopes of the childes comminge one to the best things,
* See letter dated " Salem this 15 of the 6tli month, 1637.** — Eds.
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 145
And on the other side I feare, I will say no more. Other
things I shall tell you when we meete. If this will not
satisffie some, let the Court take her of from mee, & place
her with any other to dispose of her, I shall be content ;
which I heare was plotted to accomplish this end : but I
will further enquire about it, & you shall know of it if it
be true, ffor I know there are many passages about this
busines which when you come to heare of you will not
like. But I leaue heere. The Lord our good God keepe
& preserue you & yours blamelesse to the comminge &
appearing of his Sonne. And giue vs all faith hopefullie
to waite vppon him who will doe for vs aboue what we
can ask or thinck. In whom I ame
Yours in true & heartie loue & affeccion while I line
Jo:: Endecott.
Salem 5. 12. 40.
My wiefe desires to haue her seruice remembered to you
& Mrs. Winthrop.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the Worship/iiU John Winthrop Senior Esqr dd at Bostan,
Deare Sir, — I hope I shall euer honour & loue you for
your great care over mee & your wholsome counsell giuen
to mee, which I haue through the mercie of God followed,
80 farre forth as I could vppon my best search chardge my
selfe of the least appearance of giuing offence, either to
the honoured maiestrates or ministers that subscribed the
Letter. I think the church & all that heard mee will
cleare mee of the things layd to my chardge. And I
blesse God, so hath my honoured brother Mr. Humfries al-
ready done & hath giuen me full satisfaccion in his free
acknowledgement of his failing heere, as also of his
vniust chardges layd vpon mee there ; which we were all
19
146 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1644.
glad to heare, & do praise the name of God for him,
and my heart is neerer knit to him than euer. Yet deare
Sir let mee in loue tell you that you seeme in your Letter
to tak all for granted that was related vnto you, which is
not your wonted custome to doe, and that did at the
first not a little greiue mee. Salomons rule would haue
bene obserued. proverb 18. 17. If you had in the least
measure suspended &c till I had written, it would haue
sauored more of justice. But I cannot but thinck you in
wisdome did it, to put mee to a deep search whereby the
more to humble mee as I confesse I haue need to be. The
Lord in mercie make mee thanckfuU for all good helpes for
my soul, & requite into your bosome all your labour of
loue shewed to mee in this or in any of your former kind-
nesses. With him I will leaue you & in him rest
Yours most obliged Jo : Endecott.*
Salem the 15th of the 1 moneth 1640.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the right worship/ull John Winthrop Esqr. Gouernour at
Boston Dlr.
Dearest Sir, — I humblie & heartilie thanck you for
your last lettre of newes & for the trees you sent mee. I
rcceaued your lettre lately & the trees I cannot yet heare
of, but I hope I shall. I haue sent 2 or 3 tymes about
them, & I cannot yet heare of them, the messenger you
sent them by being gon to sea. I haue not sent you any
trees because I heard not from' you. But I haue trees for
* This letter probably han reference to Endecott*8 opposition to Peter*s appointment as
agent to go to England, concerning which some difference of opinion was expressed be-
tween Endecott and Humfrey. — See further in WinOit-f^'t IIUL of X.E,^ ii. 2/>, 26. — Enn.
1(H4.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 147
you if you please to accept of them whensoeuer you shall
send. I thinck it is to late to sett or remoue. I could
wish you to remoue in the latter end of the yeare your
trees, & I pray you send mee what you want, & I will sup-
ply what I can. My children burnt mee at least 500 trees
this spring by setting the ground on fire neere them. I
cannot send you any newes, but that your sister* is recouer-
ing apace out of her sicknes, as Mrs. Gott who kept her
told mee yesterday. I shall I hope see her this day my
selfe againe. I heard you were not verie well. I desire
the Lord to strenggthen you to the worke hee hath called
you vnto & to restore you to your health. I vnderstand
that Mr. Otely hath a suite with our Deacons for some
goods that Morecruft left with Mr. Peters which Otely
sais Mr. Humfry bought of him, but I thinck it will ap-
peare that Mr. Peters hath bought them & paid for them.
If you please therebye to stay the suite till Mr. Peter come
ouer, who we hope will be heere this spring, I thinck it
will not be amisse, ffor Mr. Otely is upon going away, &
is turning euery stone to get something, ffor hee is poore
& is like to be poorer in the courses hee is in. We haue
heere diuers that are taken with Gorton's opinions, which
is a great griefe vnto vs, & Mr. Norrice is verie much trou-
bled. There is one of them that hath reviled Mr. Norrice
& spoken euill of the Church. I thought good to aduize
with you whether it were not best to bynde the partie ouer
to Boston Court, to make such a one exemplarie, that
others might feare, ffor assuredly both with you & with vs,
& in other places that heresie doeth spread which at length
may proue dangerous. The Lord in mercie keepe you, to
whose grace I commend you & rest
Yours euer to be commanded Jo : Endecott.
Salem the 22d of the 2d mo. 1644.
• Mrs. Lucy Downing. — Eds.
148 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1644.
Sir, Since I wrot my Lettre Mr. Norrice came to
mee to tell mee, that hee heard that the Lady Moody ♦
hath written to you to giue her aduice for her returne. I
shall desire that she may not haue aduice to returne to
this Jurisdiccion, vnlesse shee will acknowledge her euill in
opposing the Churches, & leaue her opinions behinde her,
fFor shee is a dangerous woeman. My brother Ludlow
writt to mee that by meanes of a booke shee sent to Mrs.
Eaton, shee questions her owne baptisme & it is verie
doubtefull whither shee will be reclaymed, shee is so farre
ingaged. The Lord rebuke Satan the aduersarie of our
soules.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Dearest Sir, — I vnderstand by Mr. Tompson of our
Towne, the sea man, that there is a great partie for the
Kinge to the Eastward, and that they are makeing some
preparations for some designes. They intertayned twoe
of our Towne (ffayning themselues to be Caualiers) with
much loue & good cheere, & they perceaue that something
is in hand. They were plotting to take the Plimmoth pin-
nace, & were sorrie they missed their opportunitie. It is
about Richmond Hand that which I speake of, but they
haue a partie in all those partes. And hearing that Mor-
ton f went by sea to Gloster on the sixth day last, hoping
from thence to get a passage to the Eastward, I sent a
warrant to Gloster to apprehend him, if hee be there,
fFor it is probable hee hath endeauored a partie to the
Southward & now hee is gon to the Ea[stw]ard to doe
* The Lady Deborah Moody became a member of Salem Church, April 5, 1640 ; was
admonished for denying infant-baptism; and, to avoid further difficulty, removed to Long
Island in the summer of IQiZ. ^mnthrop't H'uL of N,E., ii. 128, 124; FtWs AtmaU of
Salem, ii. 677. — Eds.
t Thomas Morton, author of the New English Canaan, who, in the preceding year ( 1643),
had returned to New England. — irm(Arey/< liUl. of N,K., ii. 151, lb9. — Eds.
1645.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 149
the like. It is most likelie that the Jesuites or some that
way disposed haue sent him over to doe vs mischiefe, to
raise vp our enemies round about vs both English & In-
dean. If you can send mee other speedy adui[ce] what to
doe heerein I •shall endeauour to put it in execution. If
[it be] not to troublesom, I pray you send mee both ours
& the Deputies propositions in our last conference touch-
ing the differences amongst vs. Thus with my best re-
spects to your selfe & Mrs. Winthrop, with many thancks
for your manifold vndeserved kindnesses, I rest yours
euer Jo: Endecott.
Salem, 23 (4) 1644.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the worahipfuU my much hoTioured ffriend John Winthrop Eaqr,
Deputie Oouemour & President of the Commisaionera for the
Vnited Cohniea dd, at Boston.
Sir, — There is a horse of one Goodwife IngersoU a
widow, which is prest for the seruice of theise warres. I
cannot prevaile with the Cunstable to release him. I would
not willingly put forth any power against the seruice of
the Countrie, but the trueth is it is a horse which I alwaies
vpon occasion ride on, & I haue none other of myne owne
at present to vse, my mare is now great with fole which I
vsed to ride, & my other mares are not yet backt ; besides,
this horse I haue in price, because I would not be vnfur-
nished vpon all occasions. And if the horse should goe
it will be a losse to the Countrie, for I know hee will be
spoiled. Hee is a costlie horse. Shee is offred tenne
pownds for him, & I think lOZi. will hardlie fetch him.
The Constable might haue good mares, & hee saith see-
ing the warrant is for horses, hee will not take a mare.
Doe in it what you shall see good. It is true the woeman
hath another younge horse, but shee hath not scene him
this three or 4 moneths, & if shee could finde him (which
150 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1645-
is a question whether shee can or noe, or whether hee be
not lost) yet being a young horse not vsed to be rid, hce
would also be vnseruiceable. fFurther I thought good to
write vnto you that there are some prest which are ser-
uiceable men & they haue no armes. If the Clarke of the
band were sent for & dealt with, that hee hath not bene
so carefuU in this particular, it were well. There is some
cause why I should not doe it, otherwise I would not haue
thus written. The Constable is glad to presse other mens
armes to supply theirs, so that some will be disarmed
amongest vs, vnlesse you could supply them there with the
Countries armes. I see that if we should be putt to it
against a forraigne enemie, that the Countrie is raw &
much vnfumished. I shall looke to it (God willing) for
the tyme to come. I ame sorrey you are so troubled about
theise occasions. The Lord in mercie carry you through
them. In whom I ame,
Yours euer Jo : Endecott.*
Salem the 20th of the 6 mo. 1645.
This morning the Captaine came & tould me that di-
uers Indeans were found driuing away the Cattle at the
head of the riuer, neere my farme, & shot at the keeper
of them & at the cattle, but I hope it is false, howeuer
there are 5 horsemen sent out to vnderstand the trueth of
it, & to seeke after them, if true. I purpose to-morrow,
God willing, to range the woods with some more company,
if the newes be true.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To the Wbrship/itU my worthy good ffriend John Winthrop Junior
Eaqr, at Tenne Bills.
My worthie good Ffriend, — I see your affeccion, &
so I haue continuallie from tyme to tyme. I desire to be
* Endecott was this year choBen sergeant-major-general. — Eds.
1645.] THE WINTHBOP PAPERS. 150*
thanckfuU to God & to your selfe for your true loue, & I
hope I shall euer acknowledge it Yet let mee say truelie,
I account not myselfe to be the lesse ingaged vnto you
concerning what you wrote, ffor any such small courtesie
as a few trees. But I shall endeauour, according to my
abilitie, to shew myselfe thankfuU, & to doe justice, though
I must needs say I haue don you much wronge against my
will, & ame sorry for it. It hath bene one of my greatest
burthens. But I hope in tyme the Lord will enable
mee — I say no more. What trees you want at any
tyme, send to mee for them, & I will supply you as longe
as I haue a tree.* And I will hold myselfe the more
obliged vnto you, by how much you will be free with mee.
I ame sorry you make so many apologies & cautiones to
mee, I partly guesse from whence it proceeds, & that is
because I told you I was ingaged to pay 1500, this
springe. I haue almost paid them. & it was to excuse
truely that I could not send you such trees as I would
haue otherwise done ; but for small trees I can spare you
as many more as I haue sent, & would now haue done it,
but your man thought the horse (not being well) would
not carrie them.
The Lord in mercie keepe you & yours & let myne &
my wiefes heartie loue & due respects be rememb.red to
Mrs. Winthrop. My wiefe would be glad to see her at
Orchard this summer ; for they otherwise will scarse
know one another. Yours euer to commaund
Jo : Endecott.
Orchard, 19th of the 1 mo. 164d.
Your man hath some Indico seeds for yourselfe & Mr.
Peter.
* Endecott would appear to have been engaged largely in the culture of fruit-trees ; as it
is stated in Charles M. Endicott's '* Memoir of John Endecott/' p. 80, that, in 1648, he ex-
changed five hundred apple-trees for two hundred and fifty acres of land. On page 68 of
the same work is an account of the curious seal used by Endecott in his correspondence)
1 fkc-simile of which is given in this volume. — Eds.
150* THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1^8.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Dearest Sir, — I understand by Mr. Downing that you
have received letters from Mons. D'Aulney, and that hee
will send to us about the 7th month. I could wish, if you
see it good, that the Commissioners were acquainted with
it, I meane of the several Provinces, and moved (if they
see good) to be here, because I desire they maybe as
throughlie ingaged in what is done, or may be concluded,
as ourselves. If you intend to call a General Court now,
it will be in the middest of all our occasions, and the
countrie will much suffer in it. If it be any tyme before
D'Aulney's messenger comes to us, it 'will be well enough
as farre as I can conceave ; and if it were just at the tyme
it would be the better ; but I conceave that as uncertaine,
unlesse hee hath appointed a certajne time : but I leave
all to your better considerations. I humbly thank you for
all the newes you have sent us at severall tymes : we finde
here the hand of God much upon severall men's grayne
by caterpillers, which threaten a dearth. The Lord fitt
us for what he shall call us unto. To whose blessing I
commit you, and all yours, and rest
Yours unfeygnedly, Jo : Endecott.
My wiffe desires to have her service remembred to Mrs.
Winthrop.
9th 5 mo : 1646.*
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the right worshipfuU & our trudte horvoured Oouemour John
Winthrop Eaqr. at his house at Boston. Dd,
Dearest Sir, — I ame vnfitt to travaile, hauing an in-
firmitie vpon mee that I cannot well sitt on horseback nor
* This letter is also published in Hntchinson's *' Golleetion of Original Papers/* the
year of date being erroneoosly printed as 1746. — Eds.
1648.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 151
trauaile on foote such a journey, & my eldest sonnc hath
bene so ill that we liaue much feared his life, but is through
Gods mercie much better, though not recouered. I waite
for the next oportunitie of a warme day to admister phi-
sick vnto him, & to take some my sclfe. I ame the more
sorrie I cannot be at this Court, because I doe not hearc
of your recouerie,* which the Lord in mercie grant in his
due tyme. I desire you to examyn the trueth of what I
writt vnto you in my last. Capt. Bridges & Mr. Saltonstall
can fullie (I conceaue) informe you therein, ffor it much
grieueth mee that your spirit should be iustlie troubled
with the proceedings of that Court, in respect of that triall
of Land. I doe not know vpon due examination that
therein or in any other case concerning you or yours, that
I haue bene averse, neither doe I know any iust ground
why I should so be. I haue (I thanck God) euer highlie
esteemed of you in my heart & were I able, I hope I
should manifest it in effect.
Good Sir let vs labour to loue another & harbour
the best thoughts one of another, we haue not longe
to line heere in this life, yet we shall heere remaine
as longe as our appointed times are sett I cannot tell
whither any expressions in my last lettre may trouble you.
I did not (I ame sure) intend any such thing, & therefore I
beseech you take all in good parte. And labour for chier-
fulnes of spiritt, you know who hath commaunded it.
You seme a good Maister, & therefore reioice in him. I
will see you (God willinge) assoone as convenientlie I can.
In the meane tyme I shall not cease praying vnto our good
God for you, to whose grace & mercie I commend you &
rest
Your most affectionate seruice (sic)
Jo: Endecott.
Orchard. 5. 1 mo. 164S.
* Goyernor Winthrop died on the 26tb of March, 1649, — three weeks after this letter was
written. — Eds.
152 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [I60O.
Sir, Since I ended my lettre there are diners came to
me, Yiz. Farington & his sonne & one Henry Ingolls, who
complayne that Mr. Downing hath sent for the hay which
was giuen vnto Farrington vpon a judgement which was as
they say about 5 load, & 2 loads of an other mans, namely
Ingolls, who cutt it & made it himselfe, & cut it in Liue-
tennant Walkers ground. The mens cattle are like to
perish, & what the issue wilbe you may judge. I thought
to acquaint you with it, that some course might be taken
about it.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To the worshipfuU my trudie honoured ffriend John Winthrop
Esqr. at his pUzrUadon ai PequoU present iheise.
Salem April 2S, 1650.
Deare Sir, — Your Loving Lettre was welcome to mee,
wherein I see the goodnes of God to yourseliFe & familie
notwithstanding the bitternes of the winter, which hath
occasioned death in some & diners sicknesses to others.
The Lord hath bene good vnto mee & my familie also in
preserving of vs all in health. I doubt not but you haue
heard of the newes of England & Ireland ; in the generall
all yet goes on well, Ireland is almost if not altogether
subdued. England is quiet, notwithstanding the last new
oath to be true to the State, as it is now moulded without
King or Nobles in parliament. The Army hath taken the
oath. All the Garisons haue taken it, & the Lord Maior
& many Aldermen haue taken it. And such as refuse it,
are as out-lawes, without benefitt of Courts of Justice or
votes to choose parliament men. The arriers of souldiers
pay is paid out of the King's Land made over to them &
their heires foreuer which they willinglie accept of. The
Archbishopps house at Lambeth is sould & pluckt downe,
1651.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 153
& it scemes sould vppon that condition, & I thinck the rest
will scape no better. I hauc other newes which I doubt
you haue heard of, & therefore shall not trouble you. Wee
expect Capt. Leuerett euery day who I suppose will fur-
nish vs. I shall send to you by the first oportunitie I meete
withall. Mr. Peters is Colonell of a foote regiment in
Ireland.
Touching Wiequashcooke's men if I knew any way or
if you will giue mee any directions whereby I might be
ser\iceable to you I shall heartilie & readilie endeauour it.
Sir my heartie louc & my wiues due respects to yourselfe
& good Mrs. Winthrop & Mrs. Lake remembered, with all
our salutations to your children, whom I desire the Lord
to blesse & prosper, I rest
Your vnfaigned ffaithfuU & loving iFriend & servant
Jo: Endecott.*
My twoe sonnes remember their humble seruice to
vou.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
Deare Sir, — I haue written Mr. Williams an answere
to his letter you were pleased to bring mee, & I hope to
satisfaccon as much as lyes in mee. And I heartilie desire
you that you will labour with the Sachims of the Narro-
gansetts, Ninecroft & Mixam, that they will be peaceable
with their neighbour Indeans till their complaints be heard
& answered, which I shall indeavour to effect the next
generall Court.
There is a Sachim that dwells at Quinnuboag, his name
I know not, that complaines of Ninnecroft & Mixam who
haue threatned the said sachim because hee will not goe to
warres 'with them. I pray you if you haue the oportunitie
* Endecott was, at this time, Depnty-Govemor of the Colony. — Eds.
20
154 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [16-52.
to lett them know that the English will take it ill if they
should wronge him, IFor he is resolued to come vnder the
English that hee may leame to know God. I cannot write
you any newes but what you heard when yow were heere ;
onelie Joseph Grafton came from Newfound land the last
weeke, & there being 2 parliament IFrigotts who bring
word that Lilly is taken wholie by the English & that
there are gon 2 IFrigotts to the Barbados & many (the
number I cannot tell you) marchants shippes, men of
warre, to see what can be done there. There was no re-
markeable thing done in Scotland the xijth of June last.
The armyes haue not mett. This is all. Onelie I desire
the Lord to blesse you & yours, to whom I desire m}Tie &
my wiefs due respects & harty loucs be remembred & rest,
Truelie Yours Jo : Endecott.
Salem the 15. 6. 51.
JOHN ENDECOTT TO JOHN AVINTHROP, JR.
To my right Wourthie & worshipfull good ffriend John Wintrop
Esqr at PequoU, theise present
Wourthie Sir, — Your Indean came to me at Salem
the 16th of this moneth with the Dutch Govemours
packett, and I dispatched him this morning which is the
18th day. There is no newes in the Dutch Gouemours
Lettre ; onelie moues for continuance of peace & trade : I
haue sent him an answere, such a one as I could without
the Counsell. The Court brake up the middle of the last
weeke, when all the Magistrates met. Had his lettres come
then to our hands, he had had a ftiUer answere, yet with-
out the Commissioners we cannot perfect any thing as
touching peace or warre, wherefore we thinck shortlie to
mecte to consider of theise things. I thanck you for the
1652.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS, 155
extract of the Dutch lettre. Some thmgs certainely are
mistaken if not all. AVe expect to heare shortlie from
England, everie day looking for twoe shippes from Bris-
tow. I heartilie thancke you for your care of sending the
packett. If I could send you any good newes I should re-
joyce. But the newes heere with vs is sad. I suppose you
haue heard it. Mr. Cotton's death.* The late great firef
at Boston, wherein 8 howses were consumed & 3 young
children burnt, & it was a wonderfuU fauour of God the
whole towne was not consumed of the ffire ; Mr. Wilson's
howse & goods, Mr. Sheath's house & goods & 3 young
children, Mr. Shrimptons howse & goods, Mr. Sellick's
howse & goods, Mr. Blackleech his howse & goods. The
other[s] I haue forgotten theer names. It was the most
dreadfull fire that I euer saw, by reason of the barrells of
gunpowder which they had in their howses, which made
men fearfuU to come neere them. The Lord sanctifie his
hand to vs all. Mr. Norton I thinck will succeede Mr.
Cotton in his place, it is as good as concluded. The Lord
in mercie preseinie you all with yours. I pray remember
my heartie & due respects to Mrs. Wintrop, & my loue to
your children, not forgetting Mrs. Lake. Also Mr. Blin-
man & his wicfe. I haue no more at present but cordiallie
to tell you that I ame Sir
Your truely loving ffriend & servant for euer
Jo: Endecott.
Salem, 18 of the 1st moneth, 1652.
* Rev. John Cotton, of Boston, died Dec. 23, 1652. — Eds.
t The exact date of this fire, respecting which some uncertainty had existed, is re-
corded by John Hull, in his diary, as ** 1653, 14th, 1st," — only four days before the date
of this letter (1652-3). It was known for many years after as " the great fire,'* and is so
called by Josselyn in the Chronological Table appended to his Now England's Rarities Dis-
covered, printed in 1672. — Ste Jmttlyn^ p. Ill; Arciueologia Americana^ vol. iii. p. 174. —
Eds.
156 THE WINTHROP rAPERS. [1638.
LETTERS OF WILLIAM BRADFORD.*
WILLIAM BRADFORD TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the Bight Worship/all Mr. John WinthropCj Gouernour of the
Massac/iuset^j these be dd.
Beloued Sir, — I thanke you for your letter touching
Mrs. lluchingson ; I heard since of a monsterous, & pro-
digious birth which she should discouer amongst you ; as
also that she should retracte her conffession or acknowledg-
mente of those errours, before she wente away ; of which
I haue heard many various reports. If your leasure
would permitc I should be much behoulden vnto you, to
certiffie me in a word or tow, of the trueth & forme of
that monster, &c. Vpon the Information & complainte
of our neigbours at Sityate, I am requested by our assist-
ants to write vnto you, touching a late parttition, or limit-
ing of confines, betweene you & vs ; of which we heard
nothing till of late. Wlierin we vndcrstand you haue
intrenched farr vpon those lands, which we haue conceiued
to belong to vs by right divorce waies ; as first by compos-
sision, & anciente compacte with the natiucs to whom the
right & souerainite of them did belonge, which did extend
as farr as Conahasete, which was the bounds between the
Sachimes of the Massachusets, & those of these parts ;
• William Bradford, the second governor of Plymouth Colony, was bom at Austerfield,
Yorkshire, March, 1589-90. Ho came over in the " Mayllower,'* in 1620; succeeded Carver,
as chief magistrate, in 1621 ; and from that time to 1657, when he died, ho had but fiv«
years' release from that oflice. He wrote a history of the Colony, which was freely used
in manuscript by Morton, rrinco, Hutchinson, and others; and which, after being Ui^t
for over seventy ycar^, was rccovere<l, and published, for the first time, in 1850, by the
Massachusetts Historical Society, as vol. iii., third scrios, of their Collections. — Ei>s.
1638.] THE WINTHROP TAPERS. 157
21y. It since hath been confinned vnto vs by patente from
his Majesties authoritie. 31y. Herevpon we haue posest it,
& planted it some years agoe. AVe desire you will giue vs
a reason of your proceedings herein; as also that ther
may be a faire, & freindly desission of the controuercie ;
that we may prcserue peace & brotherly loue amongst our
selues, that haue so many enimies abroad. Ther was not
long since hear with vs Mr. Cottington & some other of
your people, who brought Mr. Williams with them and
prest vs hard for a place at, or near Sowames, the which
we denid them. Then Mr. Williams informed them of a
spatious Hand caled Monachunte,* touching which they
solisited our good will, to which we yeelded, (so they would
compound with Ossamequine,) the which we heard was ill
taken by you, but you may please to vndcrstand that it is
not in our Pattente, (though we tould them not so) for it
fonly was excepted out of it. And we thought (if they
likte it) it were better to haue them, (though they differ in
oppinions) then (hapily) worse neigbours, both for vs, &
you. We thinke it is also better for vs both to haue some
strength in that Bay. Thus comending you, & your affairs
to the Lord ; with my loue rcmembred to your selfe, & the
rest of my worthy friends with you, I take leaue &
rest Your vnworthy freind
AViLLiAM Bradford.
Aprill .11. 1638.
[Memo : indorsed by Gov. Winthrop on the above LeiterJ]
My Answere to this Lettre (which I shewed to the De-
puty) was to this effect : that before we did anything we
acquainted Mr, Ilatherly & had men of either parte to sett
out the bounds, but they not agrceinge &c, I tould Mr.
Winslow, & wished there might be some friendly course
for setlinge the same, so as might neither strengthen Sci-
* Probably Aquc<lncck, or Rhotle Mnnd. — Sec Clnrk, in Mass. Hist. Coll., fourth series,
ii. 24; Calleiidcr's Ilibtoricftl Discourse, pp. 20, 30; R.I. Hist. Coll., iv. 84. — Kdj*.
158 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
tiiate nor Hingham. He answered, that what our Patent
gave us we must have, & it was all one to them whither
Scituate fell to them or to us &c ; & aduised us to sett out
our boundaries &c : which we did accordingly &c, but haue
nede (?) to acte upon it, nor disposed anythinge to Hingham
&c : ergo we see not why we should be called to give a
reason of; &c ; that this was upon some misinformation or
want of information ; that we would be sorrye that matter
of jurisdiction should bringe our peace & loue into ques-
tion : that if we had come hither for lande or if we had
feared that our frends of Plymouth would haue bounded
us to 3 : or 4 : miles of Natanscott, we could haue more
easily haue enlarged our Grant than theirs. For the kings
confirmacon I supposed it a mistake — the king dothe not
use to confirme Indians grants. For their purchase of the
Indians, it was the 1st I heard of it, & it would be hard to
make their title good, & as hard to proue their grant #
to them. IFor Mr. Hatherly's company: we thought it
were better for us bothe, if they were further off: we had
not to doe with it but we were persuaded they would not
haue furthered them &c, before they had aduised with us ;
& they might haue expected the like correspondency from
us. Conclusion for a friendly devision &c. (2) 16. 1638.*
WILLIAM BRADFORD TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his worthy & much Honoured freind Mr, John Winthrop
Esquire these he dd.
Sir, — Not knowing of this conueiance till they were
ready to goe, I thought good to scriblc a word or tow by
candle light, rather then not to advertice you of so serious
• See Wintlirop'9 Hist, of N. E., i. 284 ; Bmclford's Hist, of Plym. Plftntntion,
pp. 3G7-;;72; Liuculu*8 U\>t. of Hinglmoi, p. !>3; Deanc's HUt. of Scituate, p. 3. — Ki»8.
1640.] THE WINTHROr PAPERS. 159
a mater; I am informed by good intelligence that the
Narhiggansetts liaiie made a great colection amongst thcr
people ; and sent a great presente, both of white & black
beads to the Mowhakes,* to entreate their help against
you, & your freinds, if they see cause. And they Mow-
haks haue receiued their presente, & promised them aide,
biding them begine when they will, & they will be ready
for them, & doc encourage them with hope of successe.
The thing is true, but I may not re voile the author. It
would cost the Hues of some if it should be known, neither
would I haue it voulgarly knowne that it came from hence,
least it should be susspected ; their owne commone people
doe not know it. I fear they are too well furnished with
peeces by too much remisnes. Thus in hast I take leaue,
with my harty saluts to you & yours, & many thanks for
my kind entertainmente when I was last with you.
Your euer louing freind William Bradford.
Flim. 29 of 4 month 1640.
I pray you remember my loue to the Gouemour,t & ac-
quainte him hearwith. And if you haue any spetiall
newes from England I would be glad to know it.
WILLIAM BRADFORD TO JOHN WINTIIIIOP.
To his worthy & beloued freind Mr. John Winthrop Esquier these
he dd.
Worthy Sir, — I most kindly thanke you for your loue
& paines in aquainting me with the newes from our owne
Coimtrie ; the Lord be mcrcifull to them, & vs, & teach vs
to make that vse thereof that is befitting so sadc a condi-
tion. I had sundrie courantoes came to my hands out of
• See Winthrop*8 Hist, of N. E., ii. 8.— Eds.
t Thomas Dudley wiis Governor of Massachusetts at this time. — Kds.
160 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1644.
Uoland ; in one wherof (bearing date in Nouembcr last)
ther is mention made of an Inquision, & search made
through all Englande of all the papists in the land, & the
number giuen to the King wcer aboue tow hundred thow-
sand families ; & of them were found to be .16000. of the
spiritualitie (as they call them). What may be the reason
of this search is not expressed, but is not hard to be con-
jectured. We hear a rumorie that our freinds of Coo-
nightecute intend to begine a warr with the Narrigansets
speedilie. If you know any certaintie therof, I desu-e you
would be pleased to aquaint vs with it, that wx may the
better looke to our oAvne defence. I wish they may goe
vpon good grounds, least they bring euill vpon them seines
& their nighbours ; but if justice or necessitie compell
them, they shall not (in my judgmente) doe well to linger
so longe as to giue them time to gcather in their corne.
But the Lord direct them to doe, & you to counssell them,
as may be for the best in so waighty a case. Thus with
my humble thankfuUncs vnto you for your loue ; which I
estecme precious, I rest
Your vnworthy freind William Bradford.
Flim. 16. 6. month 1640.
\V1LLL\M BRADFORD TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his much honoured freind Mr. John Winthrop^ Gouernour of
the Massachusetts J these dd.
Beloued Sir, — Ilauing so fite an opportunitie, I
thought good to salute you with these few lines. We
were much troubled when we heard you kepte watch in
your townes the sharp weather, & so much the reather
because we could not hear the reason therof, nor vnder-
stiind any thing from the Indcans of our quarters. We
haue heard since of some messengers that haue been sent
1644.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 161
vnto you ; if ther be any thing materiall consceming our
conione saftie, I desire you would be pleased to informe vs
in a word or 2 how things stand aboute the Narigansets or
Mowhaks. We allso conceiue that our time of paimcnte
to you, aboute Mr. Andrews money is expired, and ther-
fore haue charged a bill on Mr. Hill to make this paymente
vnto you. I pray you let vs hear a word of your accept-
ance. Sundrie haue been sicke amongst vs this winter, &
some still are. God hath taken away Mr. Atwood, & Mr.
Jeney by death ; Mrs. Atwoods state being but low is in-
tangled to Mr. Seawell of Ipswich, by a bond of .1000//.
She prayes me on her behalfe to craue your aduice whe-
ther she had best administer or no, her husband haueing
made her exsecutrixe ; and if she refuse whether she may
not haue her thirds ; ther will be sufRcente she concciues
to satisfie any accounte of money due to him, & some thing
for her selfe, but by the bond the title of the land is to be
restored to him, & Mr. Atwood hath sould it to Mr. Sher-
ley, but he tould me it was only in trust, as he had it, but
he tooke no vrriting vnder his hand that so it is. Thus
comending you & all your affairs to the Lord, with saluta-
tions, I rest, in hast
Your louing friend William Bradford.*
* This letter was written some time during the year 1644, in which the decease of Mr.
Atwood and Mr. Jenney took place. — Eds.
21
162 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [163G.
LETTERS OF EDWARD WINSLOW.*
EDWARD WINSLOW TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To the WorshippfuU his much respected ffriend John Winihroj),
Esqr. these be d'd, — Coneetacut.
New Plym, the 22th of the 4th moneth.f
Worthy Sir, — I perceiued by a letter of Mr. Brews-
ters J of a mocion of yours to him to procure you hay for
an 100 beasts. AVe had a purpose to haue sent some cat-
tle thither, but so discouraged by him, through the injurious
dealing of his intruding neighbours, as we feare there will
not be long living for man or beast, but if you please to
make vse of our right, my brother shall sett your servants
to worke in our names & by our order, & affourd them
what ever personall helpe shall be thought meet, to the
utmost of our power. AVhat we shall yet doe I know not,
but will know ere long, and if New England will affourd
no Justice, will appeale further ; but God forbid we should
be put on such extremities : But were it not for Christs
cause in that our profession may come to suffer by it, we
would not be satisfied with the tenth of our demand, but
* Edward Winslow was one of the most accomplished and influential men of Plymoutli
Colony. He came over with the celebrated Mayflower company in 1620; and was
Governor of the Colony in 1683) 1636, and 1644. He went to England four times as agent
of the Massachusetts or Plymouth Colonies, and from his last visit never returned. In
1G54, he WAS appointed one of three commissioners to determine the value of the English
ships destroyed by the King of Denmark; and his original commission from the Protector is
now At PljTuouth. In 1056, he was sent by Cromwell, as the chief of three commissioners,
to superintend the expedition against the Spanish possessions in the West Indies; and died
at sen, near Hispaniola, on the 8th of May of that year, in the sixtieth year of his age. — Ste
Dans' 8 ed. of Mortm's Memorial^ pp. 259-261 ; Young's Chron. of Afa$$.^ 274, 276. — Ei>».
t Probably 1636. — Eds.
\ Jonathan Brewster of Connecticut, son of Elder Brewster. — Eds.
1637.] THE AVINTHROP PAPERS. 163
would hasten another way. These oppressors deserue no
favor, their pride would be taken down. Tis pitty rehgion
should be a cloake for such spirits. News I suppose I
cannot send more then you heare. I haue now written to
your Government, & exspect answere ere long. I thank
you for the good office you endeauoured when you were
aboue, but sorry to heare how little effect your words tooke
with them. God in time I hope will shew them their folly.
In the meane time & ever God direct you in all your pro-
ceedings. Be you kindely saluted & all that feare God
vnth you, who in mercy preserue you & them, so
prayeth Your assured ffriend-
Edw: Wynslow.
EDWARD WmSLOW TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the right WorahippfuLl his mtcch honored ffriend John Win-
throp Esqr. Gouerner of tJie Massachusetts j tJiese be dd.
Much honored Sir, — Your many & undeserued kind-
nesses, as formerly so more especially at my being last
with you, tie me if possible yet neerer in heart & af-
feccion towards you & yours, whom I salute in the Lord.
At our comming home, by the goodnes of our God, there
was an Indian newly common from Titacutt to advertise
us that they had that day, being the day of our travells &
2d of the weeke, discovered the track & footing of a party
of Indians, which could not be lesse in number then an
hundred, which made either towards Duxburrow or your
parts, advising us to be in readines to receiue them, not
knowing what their intent might be. Thomas Willet is
commen from the Dutch, your son Mr. Stephen in good
health, who hath written to you by him. Capt. Vnderhill
& the company at the ffort in health, he hath violently
taken a Pecoat woman from the Dutch which was a Sa-
164 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
chims wife, & hath her prisoner, knows nothing of what
we heare concerning Capt Mason, but onely that he was
exspected downe with ninety men. Mr. Gardner it seems
much discourageth common men by extalling the valor of
your adversaries, preferring them before the Spaniards.
Your Sachim of the Massachusets is in some jealousie
amongst others because, say they, he was at Narrohiggan-
set & saw the willingncs of the multitude to become your
enemies when the head was brought & did not acquaint
you. The Pecoats follow their fishing & planting as if
they had no enemies. Their women of esteeme & children
are gone to Long Island with a strong gard at Pecoat.
They professe there you shall finde them, and as they were
there borne & bred, there their bones shall be buried &
rott in despight of the English : but if the Lord be on
our side, their braggs will soone fall. The truth is if onece
they be routed we know their courage will faile : ergo^ feere
not. I pray you when the questions are once stated for
the conference, let us haue a coppy of them. My letters
heer but newly deliuered. The Lord in mercy goe along
with you. I durst not lose this opportunity, nor can I
write more being called on to scale.
Yours assured to his power
Edw: Winslow.
May 22, 1G37.
I pray you salute your Assistants, also Mr. Wilson, Mr.
Peaters, Mr. Shepheard, &c. Let my hast excuse me.
EDWARD WINSLOW TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Right Worshippfull, — Although you cannot but be
overburthened with busines of divers kinds yet I am bold
once more to trouble you, giving thanks for your last
remembrance in sending the coppy to me, which I haue
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 165
sent againe, not knowing whether you haue any other, but
hope we shall never be troubled with the reallity thereof.
If such a thing be, I perswad^ my selfe it never was with-
out my old neighbour Isaack,* whose head is alwaies full of
such projects, & hath too great familiarity with our com-
mon adversaries : but were he as well knowne to yours as
us, they would rather haue kept him heer then any way
haue incouraged his going over : but what I write I would
not haue made publick ; but the truth is he loveth neither
you nor us.
We hcare there is a noble man commen over unto you,
but cannot bcleeue till we can receiue more credible in-
formacon. If you could spare us a line you should further
obliege us. I am sorry to heare the differences are as great
as ever, but glad that our good God hath sent over men of
such abilities to helpe in his cawse. I pray you salute your
brother Peeters, Mr. Damportf (unknowne) also Mr. Eaton
& Mr. Hopkins. If I be not too bold with you, and if you
heare from Mr. Stoughton & Mr. Wilson I beseech you let
us know how things stand. Thus with my prayers for
you & yours take Icaue remayning
Yours assured to his power Edw: Winslow.
Plym. the 1 of the dth mo. 1G37.
EDWARD WINSLOW TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the Worshippfidl his much honored ffricnd Joh. Winthrop Esq,
at his howse at Boston, these be dd.
Sir, — Yours of the 18th of this present I lately re-
ceived, being perswaded, as you write, that if it were your
owne case you would not stand with me, but in a case be-
• Isnac Allerton. — Eds.
t Rev. John Daveniiort arrived at Boston, Juno 26, 1G87, in company with Tlicophilus
Eaton and Edward Hopkins. — Eds.
166 THE WINTHBOP PAPERS. [1640.
tween a stranger & you wherin you are betrusted, & for
the publick &c. I hope you conceiue of me as of one
that would not desure any thing that should appear to be
unjust: but for the cattle to be valued by two publick
persons of your owne might haue satisfied the publick ; and
for Mr. Andrews tis true he desired cattle of such an age
& price ; but the price at that time was under their worth
by a yeares growth : for yearlings & the advantage were
ordinarily sold for 15/. Againe Mr. Andrews is well ac-
quainted with payments in England & how easie a thing it
is to tume any valuable commodity into money, but it is
otherwise heer, & especially at this the most hard & dead
time of all other these many yeares : I speak as it is with
us : but if you conceiue the Gentlemen valued them too
high I am contented to let them goe as I offered to your
selfe at I8li per head the fine. If you say it is too high,
truly I marvell at it, being this weeke Mr. Hatherly made
payment to Mr. Freeman & Mr. Atwood in cows (& in a
busines Mr. Andrews, if I be not much mistaken, is inte-
rested) at I8li lbs. per head. Nay since these valued
some passed in account between Mr. Paddy & some of
your parts at 20li per head ; & therefore I pray you take it
into further consideracon, & remember you may fall into
an extreame. Truly Sir it is my desire to discharge it that
makes me importune you, neither doe I conceiue how you
can justly suffer in it : & to avoide suffering I see is not
possible : for I finde innocency (by lamentable experience)
will little helpe amongst men, yea wherein I haue been
most carefull, therein most abused, & therefore in dis-
charging a good conscience we must leaue all events to
God. If I had any hopes of a chapman I would make
money of them but haue none, however I thanke you that
haue been so kinde to giue me time : but I fcare that time
will rather hurt then helpe me, & therefore beseech you
againe either to accept them or acquaint Mr. Stoughton
with it that he may write to Mr. Endecot about it : for
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 167
they may doe it as well by letter as presence, onely I pray
you conceale what I offer if they must value them : & if
you please I will send them vpon the first notice.
I thanke you for your loving manifestacion about mine
owne busines. There hath nothing beene done in it since
the Gentlemen (to whom I am much bownden) were heer.
As there shall be any thing done I take it my duty to ac-
quaint them who haue taken so much paines therein.
Only my purpose is to study waies to satisfie for words so
far as a good cause will permit. The Lord in mercy
direct me who haue need of more then humane patience
to beare these things from this people : ifor ten times
more from others were not a tenth part so much, nor
can any beleeue that seeth not, that I should suffier as
I doe from them. The Lord lay it not to their charge &
giue me wisdom & patience to beare it. Be you saluted
& yours together with those Gentlemen (especially my
respects to your Gouernour.*) Good Sir let me haue
your prayers who remaine Yours till death.
Edw: W[ins]low.
(4) 27. 40.
I thanke you for your English news. I received a letter
from Mr. Sherley this yeare ; he writes that in steed of a
letter he had thought to haue seen me, but is glad I came
not, for if I or any partner had common Mr. Beauchamp
had trowbled him, & had for that end entertayned a Soli-
citer, etc. He writes me of the Lord Keepers f death, &
that Secretarie Cooke J hath letters of ease, which is to me
very sad : for New England in those two is stripped at
once of our best friends at the Board : so that now we
must live by ifaith without any dependance on meanes
at all. Mr. Downing to whom I desire to be remembred
• Dudley. — Eds.
t Thoma», Lord Coventry, who died Jan. 13, 1C40. — Ens*.
I Sir Jolm Coke, Secretary of State. — Eds.
168 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
with all thankefulnes, can better informe you about it
then my selfe.
I would haue written to the Gentlemen about our busi-
nes, but knew not how you would take it, but what you
shall write in it I will stand to, & therefore I pray you let
it be dispatched & let me haue word that I may send
them.
EDWARD WINSLOW TO JOHN WIXTILROP.
To the Worshippfull his much respected ffriend Joh, Winthrop
Esqr, at his liowse at Boston these he dd.
Worthy Sir, — Your last letter I received & giue you
thanks for your continued loue in imparting unto us such
news as you heare from England. What will be the issue
of these sore beginnings the Lord onely knoweth, but it
concemeth us deeply to be affected with them as a people
that must share with them in weale & woe. The Lord in
mercy so order & dispose as what is amis may be reformed,
& his name may be glorified.
Concerning your acceptance of the fine cows I am
willing to send them, & becawse the wether is so hott, the
flie so busie, & the woods so thick, I haue agreed with
Robert Waterman to bring them by water. I pray you
send me a receipt under your hand for them upon the back
of the note or bill I left with you. Thus with my kinde
salutes to your selfe & all yours whose wellfare I desire as
mine owne, with all due respects to you & them take
leaue remayning Yours assured
Edw: Winslow.
Plym. (5) 7—40.
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 169
EDWARD WINSLOW TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the worshippfuU his much honored ffriend Joh. Winthrop,
Eaqr aJb his howae at Boston, these be dd.
Sir, — By the enclosed you may perceiue the emest
request of your unfaithfull servant Luxford * who hath no
lesse but much more unportuned me since I received his
lines, using Paul's plea for Onesimus &c. but you know
the man & his manner of importunity, pleading his paines
& care so many yeares, & however his faylings were great,
yet I perceiue he thinks his paines to be greater, & that
in his extreame necessity you should take compassion on
him, but I refer you to your mercy & yet would haue you
consider well what you doe. The truth is I thinke he is
very pore : for he worketh not, yet offered me his labor
this harvest for his dyet, which for some reasons I durst
not accept, but pitty the man. He hath taken a flfarme of
Mr. Hanbury which was Mr. Brown's at 4Z per annum,
' but how he will pay it or raise it I know not, especially
when he hath neither stock, security, foode, nor credit.
He saith there are some in the bay that will affourd him
some help, but who they are or what it is I know not.
I suppose you haue heard what was the issue of the day
of humiliacion concerning the'eleccion of Mr. Qiancey.
But things are like still to goe ill, for on the 2d day of this
weeke a mocon was made by Mr. Paddy & some that in-
ordinately cleaue to him for his setling at Jones river, some
three miles from Plimouth, who purposeth there to lay the
foundacon of an Academy, & reade the arts to some that
are fitt for that purpose, that so they may also haue use of
his gifts. I manifested my dislike to the Gouemour who
* See Winthrop*8 Hist, of N. E., ii. 8; Gov. Winthrop*s Will, dated (4) 26, 1641, in
Appendix to the same yolume, pp. 86^-361 ; and also Hatchinson*8 ColL of Original Papers,
p. 110.— Eds.
22
170 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
still pressed his gifts, but I told him they must still retaine
his errors etc. with his gifts, which were like to weaken if
not destroy both the Congregacions of Plymouth & Dux-
burrow, being seated in the midst equally between both,
having already manifested his judgement to be more rigid
then any Separatist I ever read or knew, he holding it
lawfull (nay a duty for ought I heare) to censure any that
shall oppose the major part of the Church, whether it be
in eleccion of officers or receiving in or casting out of
members if they will not be convicted & yield, by which
meanes 10 or more may be cast out to receiue in one.
But what will be the issue of these things the Lord onely
knoweth. I feare the Lord hath a quarrcll with us, &
the rather becawse Mr. Bradford & Mr. Reyner are both
drawn to yield to the mocion which is so contrary in my
apprehension to the peace of the Qiurches, especially
when I consider the confidence or rather selfewillednes of
the man. Truly Sir, I conceiue if you conceale how you
came by your informacion, & giue your Qiristian advice to
Mr. Bradford spedily about it, you may be the instrument
of much good ; for my selfe however I am ready to de-
mand a dismission from them, yet I simpathise >vith them
& desire their welfare as much as ever, & for me to oppose,
he hath such a party as I might rather expect dismission
with a censure then otherwise. But entreating you to
conceale your author, & commending you & it with all
yours to the blessing of the blessed God, with many thanks
for your last loue take leaue remayning
Yours till death Edw : Winslow.
Careswell, this 10th of 8th 1640.
Mr. BUndman salutes you.
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 171
EDWARD WINSLOW TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his much honored ffriend Joh : Winfhrop Esqr. at his howse at
Boston these he dd.
Worthy Sir, — When I remember your constant &
long continued loue I cannot but blame my selfe that
hauing no speciall busines into your parts this wmter sea-
son, & thereby debarred sight, haue not so much as written
these two moneths unto you. This later I must needs
confesse is inexcusable, but for the former howeuer it is
busines enough for me to see the face of your selfe &
yours, together with the many godly & pretious friends
& brethren I haue both in Boston & elsewhere amongst
you, yet the many businesses I haue had (& the more in
regard of Mr. Blinman's friends that are come to Hue
with us, & the streightnes of place to receiue them) & our
preparacons to enter into covenant, together with many
affliccons in my ffamily, God being pleased still to exercise
me under his hand by taking away one of my children by
death, & some others in my ifamily exercised with sicknes,
together with some other outward losses in my cattle, may
rather cawse me to stay at home and consider, then to be
exercised abroade. But, God willing, I shall take a due
season to see you, & them : in the mcane time let these
my lines witness my continued loue to you & them whose
welfare, if my heart deceiue me not, I desire as mine
owne.
I received letters lately from Mr. Endecot & your
brother Peters, & make bold to trowblc you with coiivey-
ancc of my answers to them, together with many smalc
pamphlets, bownd up together, which we printed in the
Netherlands, occasioned by one of them called the Peoples
Plea for the exercise of Prophcsic, which he much desired
172 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
me to procure & send him, & which I entreat you to
convay by the first opportunity ; for it was long before I
could call to minde where I had lent it, & could not
procure another in all Plimoth. There is a ffriend of
mine that desired me to crave your advice in two particu-
lars : the one in case he hath sold a parcell of goods of
some value to one upon day, & hath but a bare bill for
his security, & the person['s] sufiiciency suspected, whether
your Court allow not an arrest for better securit)' ? or if
he cannot be that way relieved, then by what other ? The
2d is of greater consequence, vizt. having an estate of lands
still in Wales, tho' as formally made over to another as
advice of law would passe it, & acknowledged before a Mas-
ter of the Chancery, yet since his comming away is credibly
informed that he was called in Court of Star Chamber &
fined 200/i for not appearance, but was never served with
any precept nor heard of it till within these 14 daies, nor
can conceiue any thing saue malice should be alledged
against him. Now wliat course you will advise him to
take in it. I pray you Sir pardon my boldnes with you,
& let me receiue a word or to from you as your occasions
will permit. Be you kindely saluted, also Mr. Cotton,
Mr. Wilson, your sons Mr. Joh. Mr. Steph. & Mr. Adam,
with all other my beloved ffriends with you, whose prayers
I desire, especially in that great & weighty workc which
doth so much concerne the glory of God in raysing up his
church amongst us. And the Father of Mercies & God
of Comfort raise & keepe up your spirit aboue all the
crosses of this life, & fill you with his comforts in Christ
Jesus. Amen. Yours in many bonds
Edw: Winslow.
Cares WELL 11. 28. 1640.
1643.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 173
EDWARD WINSLOW TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Sir, — I have deferred writing many times in hope of
time to enlarge myselfe to you, but never more streightned
then at present, yet ashamed to withhold any longer, but
I pray you pardon my brevity. Concerning the Vnion
our Majestrates & Deputies approue well of what is done,
& two of our townes passed it before the Court ; vizt. Pli-
moth & Marshfield: the rest of the Deputies carried it
from the Court to their townes to be confirmed, none
doubting of it, & with order to returne their votes this
moneth, so that there is no doubt of our thorow close with
you therein.
Concerning the cattle, I sent the fine cowes, a two
yeare old heyfer, & a yearling steer, by Roe according to
your order, but one of the cows calved two daies before,
& he would not take the calfe with him but left it, which
was prised at 7^, another calfe at 14^, & two other calues
at 365, & the two yeare old heyfer at Sli 15^, which in all
amounted to 6li 12^, the just sum which was due to me
for the wintering of those seaven beasts : Mr. Bulkley
affirming that but to make even money he would not haue
yielded to so much. And for the skin of the beast that
miscaried at winter I allow 135 4rf. for it, which was due
to me upon the former devision. I would haue enlarged
but the tide is almost spent, & I haue other letters must
needs write, & so hope you will excuse me who saluting
you in the Lord Jesus take leave & remaine
Yours to his power Edw ; Winslow.
Carebwell 13 (4) 43.
Mr. Collier & my sclfc chosen Commissioners to con-
fixmc, & so for the following season.
174 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1643.
EDWARD WINSLOW TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the right worshippfull his much Jumored ffriend Joh. Win-
thropj Esqr. Governour of the Massachusetts these he dd.
Worthy Sir, — Another opportunity oflfering it sclfe
I can do no lesse then write, hoping I am not trowblesom
therein, for if I be I should be much more if I lived neer
you in often discourse. Since the receipt of yours who
intimate enlargement if time had permitted, I understand
by Mr. Prence who had it from an Indian of good esteem
amongst them, that the Xarr. prepare for war, that the
Mowhakes haue promised to aide them with a thowsand
men in the spring, tliat when they come neer they will
make a stand that so Vncas may haue notice of it ; where-
upon they conceiue he will flie to the Enghsh : that done
they purpose to send a message to the English & demand
Vncas, and as they receiue answere so to proceed. Since
this we heare from the Dutch that they haue an army
of an 120 men, English & Dutch against the Indians.
These seeke them & haue slaine 20 Indians with the losse
of 2 EngUsh ; they haue also taken 4 Indian prisoners
whom they make per force to be their guides. That
Captain Patrick is slaine by a Dutch man, being probably
suspected to haue a hand in directing the Indians in their
late mischiefe, the manner thus, Patrick having holpen
them to an Indian guide to bring them to a ifort, led them
amis the whole night, at day knowing where they were,
went again to Patrick's howse, where a Dutch man called
Patrick traytor. lie returned the lie & spet in the Dutch
man's face, whereat he bent his pistoU & shot him in the
head, so as he fell down dead & never spake more : the de-
linquent was committed to the safe custody of Captain
Vndcrhill but since escaped.*
• See further concerning; Capt. Patrick, and the cinMimfltanccs nttendinsj his death, in
Wintiiron's \\\A. of N. K., ii. 151. — Kns.
164;j.] THE WIJSTHROP PAPERS. 175
Concerning Morton, our Governor gave way that he
should winter heer, but begon as soon as winter breaks
vp. Capt Standish takes great oflfence theerat, especially
that he is so neer him as Duxburrow, & goeth sometimes a
fowling in his ground. He cannot procure the lest re-
spect amongst our people, liveth meanely at 4^ per week
& content to drinke water, so he may dyet at that price.
But admit he hath a proteccion yet it were worth the while
to deale with him till we see it. The truth is I much ques-
tion his pretended employment ; for he hath heer onely
shewed the iframe of a Common Weale & some old sealed
commissions, but no inside knowne. As for Mr. Rigby if
he be so honest, good & hopeful! an instrument as report
passeth on him, he hath good hap to light on two of the
arrantest known knaues that ever trod on new English
shore, to be his agents east & west, as Cleves & Morton :
but I shall be jealous on him till I know him better, &
hope others will take heed how they trust him who invest-
eth such with power who liaue devoted themselves to the
mine of the Countrey, as Morton hath. And for my part
(who if my hart deceiue me not can pass by all the evill
instrumentally he brought on me) would not haue this ser-
pent stey amongst us, who out of doubt in time will get
strength to him if he be suffered, who promiseth large
porcions of land about New haven, Narroliiganset, etc. to
all that will goe with him, but hath a promise but of one
person who is old, weake, & decrepid, a very athiest & fitt
companion for him : but indeed Morton is the odium of
our people at present, & if he be suffered (for we are di-
versly minded) it will be just with God who hath putt him
in our hands & we will foster such an one that afterward
we shall suffer for it. But the Messenger cals for my let-
ter & I must breake off, & therefore saluting you in the
Lord take leaue & remaine
Yours ever to be commanded
Careswell 7. (11.) 43. EdW : WiNSLOW .
176 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1643.
I pray you Sir, in your next write whether ever the mes-
sage were sent to the Mowhakes, & as you haue occasion
salute our ffriends at Coneeticutt & New Haven from me,
& if you judge any of these things materiall impart it.
EDWARD WINSLOW TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the right worahippfull his much honored ffriendJoh. Winthropj
Esq. Governor of the Massachuset, these be dd.
Worthy Sir, — About a moneth since I wrote to you,
& now within a few daies it came to my hands againe, yet
haue I sent it, being glad of the present opportunity by
Mr. Paddy to salute you & all yours in the Lord Jesus.
And becawsc we would save your Government a labor to
send to us for the money due by bond from Mr. Bradford,
my selfe, &c. to your Government upon Mr. Andrews
gift ; I haue given Mr. Paddy a bill of exchange for the
discharge of it, onely bccawse I know not the exact sum
I haue left a blanck for it, & given him authority to insert
it ; that so he may take up the bond upon the delivery of
the bill to your selfe.
We heard you were upon your gard, but becawse we
had no notice from your selfe about it it did not trowble
us. We heare you have news from New haven & Conee-
tacut. I hope you will impart it to us if there be anithing
materiall ; however shall be glad to heare of our brethren
there.
Thus with my prayers to the Almighty for the continu-
ance & increase of his mercies towards us, humbly take
Icaue & rest
Your assured Edw. Winslow.
Maksiifield 7. (12) 43.
lG4o.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 177
EDWARD WINSLOW TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his much honored ffriend John Winthrop, Esqr. Deputy Go-
vernor of the Massachusetts J these be dd.
Worthy Sir, — Your loving letter & large manifesta-
cions of continued affeccon I received with much comfort
after so long silence, no lesse desiring what communion
can be mainteyued at such a distance as our all ordering
God hath cast us. Your large letter I prised, & as I
thanke you for your great paines, so I cannot but simpa-
thise with you in these ungratefuU requitalls you receiue
at the hands of some from whom you haue better deserved :
but I know you serue not men alone in what you doe, &
hope you haue comfort between God & your selfe in the
greatest discomforts you heer meet with. I thanke God I
haue tasted of the same cupp : & tho it were bitter in the
mouth, yet my owne impatiency hath more trowbled &
grieved my spirit vpon coole deliberacon then all the rest.
I beseech God to giue you such a measure of spirituall
strength & wisedome under the present temptations as to
carry you more comfortably on ; & then when these storms
are blowne over, the calme will be the more comfortable
to you, & your adversaries more ashamed of their turbu-
lent courses, which the Lord in much mercy grant, and I
doubt not but to see, if the Lord spare us life, in a short
time.
I haue been ill since our Court till this present, tho' now
at Plymouth : whether I hastened so soone as God gauc
strength, becawse of some distraccions I heard of amongst
them upon their removall ; where I finde things better
then I heard, & see no likelihood of the Churches depart-
ure at present, tho' they haue given way to some unsetled
brethren to goe into the bottome of the Bay of Cape Cod.
I write nothing to you about the determinacon of our
23
178 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1C46.
Court concerning the beaver trade, bccawse I haue written
to your Commissioners largely thereabout, & trust they will
see cawse to desist, assuring my selfe otherwise they will
repent too late.
As for the Narrohigansetts etc. if there be occasion I
shall willingly come over upon notice & haue the passages
in particular in writing as they were agitated at Hartford,
which I shall endeavor to preserue: flfor I tooke their
severall allegations & defences. Thus with my due re-
spects to your selfe & wife & all yours & theirs, saluting
you & them in our common Sa\iour, & desiring my saluta-
con & due respects may be tendered to your Govemour* &
Mr. Dudley, & other my kno>vne ffriends, take leaue &
remaine
Yours as his ownc Edw : Winslow.
Plym. 28, (1,), 45.
EDWARD WmSLOW TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his much Jionored ffriend John Winthrop, JEsqr. Governor of
the Massaditisetts. these be dd.
Much honored Sir, — Yours of the 3d of this present
I received by Mr. Hutchenson, & remaine thankefuU for
your care & louc manifested as often as you write.
Our eleccion is over. Mr. Bradford Governor; tlic
Assistants the same, saue onely Mr. Thomas instced of
Mr. Freeman, whom I suppose the countrey left out in
regard of his professed Anabaptistry & separacon from the
Churches. Mr. Brown & Mr. Hatherly are our Commis-
sioners for the yeare.
We haue a sad accident heer befallen the Captain of the
man of war, who reproving & commanding one of his
• Eiidccott was Governor in 1G4.'>. — Ei)H.
1646.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 179
company silence, who most notoriously abusing his person,
command, & whole company, (being a trowbler of earth,
aire, & sea whilest he lived), tooke the mans rapier out of
his hand, which he offered to draw upon his Captain, &
first struck him with it in the scabberd : but he continuing
his raging & \ilefying his person & company chiefely,
strooke him with the hilt of it on the head, the blow falling
on the crosse barre most unhappily peirced his scull, & he
is dead thereof But however he was never out of quar-
rels at sea as they say, or on shore since they came in
hither, having been twice in the field tho' not at sharp,
through the wishes of others who detayned his rapier from,
him, yet the quest fownd he died of the stroake given by
Capt. Crumwell. This morning we purpose to send for
him whom we heare attendeth his triall, onely desireth
these two favors, that he be not committed to the ordinary
prison nor put into the hands of the Marshall, but into the
custody of such as will be bownd body for body for him.
The 2d is that he be not tried by a pety Jury, but by a
Co\vnsell of War according to the nature of his ojflFence &
place, wherein I commend him, & I conceiue it may be
granted him, but if his commission be so full as we heare
by those of ours which haue seen it, vizt. as full power for
the exercise of marshall discipline by sea & land over his
company as any Generall on the shore or Admirall on the
seas, it will soone be ended.*
Their purpose is yet unknown to them selucs, in that one
of their prises holds being unbroke up, but cannot be so
little worth, as some of their soberest men report, as fifty
thowsand pownds. And thus much for news at present,
their deboistf humor being well blunted before they come
to you, for which you are beholden to us, & the people from
• An account of this nflair is given by Bradford, in his History of Plymouth Phmtation;
and also by Winthrop. — 5e« J/aw. IlUt. Cull., vol. iii. 4th ser. p. 441; WinVtiop's IlisL of
N. K, ii. 263. — Eds.
t Debauched, riotous. — Eds.
180 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1646.
desperate rudenes become civill in a pretty measure, & now
as wary, as prodigall at their first landing. Many of our
worser sort of people which could endure their cursing
etc. getting well by them, but the better sort very little,
for they want little or nothing which the Countrey hath,
but wine, which they begin to be weary off.
Your debitor Cole I suppose is now well able to pay, if
you put him in minde of it, having taken at lest 200// as is
supposed of them.
The bearer heerof being an industrious & well affected
young man desired me to entreate you to further him in a
seeming just demand: he being lately married, it seems
there is one Samuell Crum, a wine cooper, lately come from
sea, & a kinsman of his wdues, that is departed this life
with you. Whereupon in his wines behalfe he desireth
letters of administracon, he having no other kindred so
neerly allied in the countrey, & therefore I pray you shew
him all lawfuU favor. His name is James Waker, & I
shall take any kindnes to him as done to my selfe, & there-
fore I beseech you, being he is a stranger & young, put him
in some cowrse to accomplish it.
I trust when Mr. Dudley goeth to Mr. De Alney*
he will put an end also to our controuersie with him, &
make but one worke of both. But I shall impart it to our
Govemour j* &c. Thus saluting you & yours hartily, take
leaue & remaine
Yours as euer
Edw: Winslow.
Plym. this 4. (4.) 46.
• Sco Winthrop'a Hist of N. E., ii. 259, 260. — Eds.
t Bradford. — Eds.
1G46.] THE WlNTIlROr PAPERS. 181
EDWARD WINSLOW TO JOHN WINTHROP.
2b hi^ much honored ffriend Joh.Winthrop Esqr, Governour of the
Massachusetts J at his hoicse at Boston, these be dd.
Worthy Sir, — I was sorry to see you so much dis-
turbed & trowbled in your spirit (as appeared by your last
to our Governour) at our proceedings with goodman Chees-
borow : * & so also at some passage aboue the rest in our
general letter to you, when as nothing is more ordinary then
for yours to come to us, & ours to you, & all without offence
on our part : and I assure you, to me it is indifferent, & I
thanke God I rejoyce as well in your prosperity as our
owne : & with all good conscience can say I sympathise
with you in every condicon. And if at any time difference
doe arise, it is .not without great griefe of spirit ; & there-
fore far be it from me to consent to his sensvre because he
brought your letters etc., but the truth is hearing both
sides speake (which you did not) I beleeve things are far
otherwise then as they were presented to you : but this I
am sure, in mine owne opinion (which is but weake) he
was favorably dealt with, yea so favorably as lesse could
not stand with his personall safety, in respect of revenge &
the weale publick of the Country, in this uncertaiue sea-
son. But I leave the answere of yours to our Governour
who I suppose will fully satisfie.
The maj-ne occasion of my writing (besides the whetting
of, & quickening of our affeccions towards each other)
being partly to condole the evill that I long feared con-
cerning Gorton, for want of some due course & able per-
son to prosecute it, to informe against him & render a
reason of your proceedings with him & the rest, well
knowing how potent a ffriend he was sure to finde, & I
♦ See riyraouth-Col. Records, ii. 103. — Ed3.
182 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [164G.
pray God the same his friend prove not otherwise to you
& vs, but I feare, I feare, onely heerein I rest, he can
act no more then God hath determined ; yet becawse
the relacon I haue is possibly imperfect, I could be glad if
time will permit to receive a word about it from you. A
2d thing which moved me to put pen to paper is to entreat
you to be better prepared, (at least to staue off prejudice
against your Government in the Committee of Parliament)
in regard of the peticoners & many others who are very
busie, who not onely threaten us as well as you, but grossly
abuse us & insult & boast as if the victory were attayned
before the enterprise is begun if I may so say : ffor I con-
fesse I received a very proud letter lately, which makes me
feere things are not to begin : but I will not mcncon any
particulars in it at present, but leaue it till God bring us
together, when you shall also see my answer to it. If you
say ; twill be time enough to answer when we are accused,
& we shall not be condemned before w- e are heard ? Tis
true ; but if prejudice once take place in their bosoms it
will be hardly rootted out, when it may be easily prevented
by right informacon of such men of wisedome & cowrago
as may be sent. The common error alwaies entrcate such
persons as haue busines of their owne to carry them over
to doe some what in the publick busines : but this busines
will appeare to be of such consequence if well weighed as
your ablest men may not escape it, neither must you stand
upon the charge. If you doe I conceiue you will also too
late repent it. But I am over bold with yoii I confes, onely
tis my loue to your State which sets me aworke, & ergo hope
the same affeccon in you will cover my infirmity. But it
may be you will say, I hope you of Plymouth will be well
provided &c. Truly Sir I feare no, & therefore presse the
harder vpon you ; not that w^e intend to trowble you with
our busines, who know not our proceedings, ergo not
capable of making defence for us : but &c. & we are so
many (since we followed your example in one particular,
1040.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 183
which we too late repent,) to consult, as tis very hard for
any to say what will be done, tho' he should know what is
most wholsome for us. And ergo it much concernes vs to
be instant at the Throne of grace, that our all ordering
God would set vs in a right way : which the Lord in much
mercy grant to you & us. Thus saluting you & yours, with
all my honored ffriends with you, take leaue & remaine
Yours till death Edw : Win slow.
Juke ult 1646.
I should be glad to heare how your sonne Mr. Joh.
Winthrop, my deare ffriend, proceedcth in his plantacon at
Pccoatt. I pray you when you write to him salute him
from me.
Sir, When you haue done with your bookes of news
I should take it very kindely to haue the perusing of some
of the chiefest of them, & retume them if you desire it.
184 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1032.
LETTERS OF EOGER WILLIAMS *
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
For the rigid Worship/uU John Wintrop Esq. Governor of the
English in the Massachusetts.
PLYMOUTH.t
Much honourd & beloved in Christ Jesu, — Your
Christian acceptation of our cup of cold water is a blessed
cup of wine, strong & pleasant to our wearied spirits.
Only let me craue a word of explanation : among other
pleas for a young councellour (which I feare will be too
light in the ballance of the Holy One) you argue from 25
in a Church Elder : tis a ridle as yet to me whether you
meane any Elder in these New English churches, or (which
I belieue not) old English, — disorderly functions, from
whence our Jehovah of armies more & more redeemed his
Israeli, — or the Levites who served from 25 to 50,
Numb. 8., 24; or my selfe but a child in euery thing,
(though in Christ called, & persecuted euen in & out of
my fathers howse these 20 yeares), I am no Elder in any
church, no more nor so much as your worthy selfe, nor
• Roger Williams, the founder of the Colony of Rhode Island, arrived at Boston, Feb. f*,
1630-1 ; and, after a few weeks' residence there, accepted nn invitation from the church
of Salem to succeed Higginson as their teacher. Becoming obnoxious to the Govern-
ment, he removed, about August of that year, to Plymouth, where he resided for two
years; returning to Salem about August, 1688. Failing to commend himself to the favor
of the Government of Massachusetts, an order for his banishment was passed, Sept. 3,
1«35. He is supposed to have left Salem about January, 1635-6; and to have become
settled at Providence about June following. He died at Providence in 1683. — 8te Win-
throp\i Hist, of N. /?., i. 41 ; Afam. Colimial Recortkj i. 160. — Eds.
t Written during Williams's residence at Plymouth, between August, 1631, and Au-
gust, 1033. The reference, in the postscript, to NowelPs reigning the office of ruling elder,
sliows that Williams is writing about July, 1632. — Eds.
1632.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 185
euer shall be, if the Lord please to graunt my desires that
I may intend what I long after, the natiues soules, & yet
if I at present were, I should be in the dayes of my vani-
tie ncerer vpwards of 30 then 25 ; * or whether Timothie
or Titus be in thought &c., at your leasure I craue interpre-
tation. Sorry I am since Rationalls so much circumround
& trouble you, that bestiale quid (& mine especially) should
come neere you : but since the Lord of heaven is Lord of
earth allso, & you follow him as a deare child, I thanck-
fuUy acknowledge your care & loue about the cattell, &
further entreate if you may (as you give me incourage-
ment) procure the whole of that second, & let me know
how, & how much payment will be here accepted, or in
money in England. The Lord Jesus be with your Spirit,
& your dearest one, & mine, in their extremities. To you
both & all the Saints our due remembrances.
Yours in all vnfeyned & brotherly affections
Roger Williams.
The brethren salute you.
You lately sent musick to our eares, when we heard you
perswaded (& that effectually & successfully) our beloved
Mr. Nowell to surrender vp one sword : & that you were
preparing to sceke the Lord further ; a dutie not so fre-
quent with Plymmouth as formerly: but Spero meliora.
• If Williams here intends to any that he is, at the time of writing (1682), "upwards
of thirty *' years of age, it would favor the tradition, that he was born in 1699, rather
than in 1606, according to the opinion of Dr. Elton. The statement iu this letter, that the
writer had been "persecuted in and out of" his "father's house these twenty years,"
strongly corroborates this view ; and all is confirmed by another declaration of his in a
letter published by Backus, often quoted, dated 21st July, 1679, where he says he is " now
near to fourscore years of age." — See KlUnC$ Life of Rotjer WiUianu, pp. 9-13; and com-
pare AmoUtg IKst. o/Ji, Island, i. 47-60; Bachui$ UUt. of N. £., i. 421. — Eds.
24
186 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1C3G.
ROGER WILLUMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
[torn] much honoured Mr. [torn] Wintrop Deputie Governor the^c.
Much honoured Sir, — The frequent experience of
your loving eare, ready & open toward me (in what your
conscience hath permitted) as allso of that excellent spi-
rit of wisedome & prudence wherewith the Father of
Lights hath endued you, embolden me to request a word
of private advise with the soonest convenience, if it may
be, by this messenger.
The condicion of my selfe & those few families here
planting with me, you know full well : we haue no Pat-
tent : nor doth the face of Magistracie suite with our
present condicion. Hietherto, the masters of ffamilies haue
ordinarily mett once a fortnight & consulted about our
common peace, watch, & planting; & mutuall consent
hath finished all matters with speede & peace.
Now of late some young men, single persons (of wliome
we had much neede) being admitted to freedome of inha-
bitation, & promising to [be] subiect to the orders made by
the consent of the howseholders, are discontented with
their estate, & seeke the freedome of vote allso, & aequa-
litie, &c.
Beside, our dangers (in the midst of these dens of
lyons) now especially, call vpon vs to be compact in a
civill way & power.
I haue therefore had thoughts of propounding to my
neighbours a double subscription, concerning which I
shall humbly craue yoiu: hclpe.
The first concerning our seines, the masters of fami-
lies : thus,
We whose names are here vnder written, late inhabi-
tants of the Massachusetts, (vpon occasion of some difference
of conscience,) being permitted to depart from the limits
1«>3«.] THE WINTHROr PAPERS. 187
of that Pattent, vnder the which we came over into these
parts, & being cast by the Providence of the God of Hea-
ven, remote from others of our countriemen amongst the
barbarous in this towne of New Providence, doe with free
& ioynt consent promise each vnto other, that, for our
common peace & wellfare (vntill we heare further of the
Kings royall pleasure concerning our selucs) we will
from time to time subiect our seines in actiue or passiue
obedience to such orders & agreements, as shall be made
by the greater number of the present howseholders, &
such as shall be hereafter admitted by their consent into
the same priviledge & covenant in our ordinarie meeting.
In witnes whereof we here vnto subscribe, &c.
Concerning those few young men, & any who shall
hereafter (by your favourable connivence) desire to plant
with vs, this, —
We whose names are here vnder written, being desirous
to inhabite in this Towne of New Providence, doe promise
to subiect our selues in actiue or passiue obedience to
such orders & agreements as shall be made from time to
time, by the greater number of the present howseholders
of this Towne, & such whome they shall admit into the
same fellowship & priviledge. In witnes whereof, &c.
Hietherto we chose one, (named the officer,) to call the
meeting at the appointed time : now it is desird by some
of vs that the howseholders by course performe that
worcke, as allso gather votes & see the watch goe on, &c.
I haue not yet mencioned these things to my neigbours,
but shall as I see cause vpon your loving councolL
As allso since the place I haue purchased, 21y, at mine
owne charge & engagements, the inhabitants paying (by
consent) 30** a piece as they come, vntill my charge be out
for their particular lots : & 3rdly, that I never made any
other covenant with any person, but that if I got a place
he should plant there witli me : my quirre is this, —
Whither I may not lawfully desire this of my neigh-
188 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1036.
bours, that as I freely subiect my selfe to common con-
sent, & shall not bring in any person into the towno
without their consent : so allso that against my consent no
person be violently brought in & receaucd.
I desire not to slcepe in securitie & dreame of a nest
which no hand can reach. I cannot but expect changes,
& the change of the last enemie death, yet dare I not
despise a libertie, which the Lord seemeth to offer me, if
for mine owne or others peace : & therefore haue I bene
thus bold to present my thoughts vnto you.
The Pequts heare of your preparations &c., & comfort
themselues in this, that a ^vitch amongst them will suick
the pinnaces, by diving vnder water & making holes &c.,
as allso that they shall now enrich themselues with store
of guns, but I hope their dreames (through the mercie of
the Lord) shall vanish, & the devill & his lying sorcerers
shall be confounded.
You may please, Sir, to take notice that it is of mainc
consequence to take some course with the Wunnashowa-
tuckoogs & Wusquowhananawkits, who are the further-
most Neepnet men, for the Pequts driven from the sea
coast with ease, yet there secure & [strjengthen them-
selues, & are then brought downe so much the neerer to
you. Thus with my best respects to your loving selfe &
Mrs. Wintrop, I rest
Your Worships vnfeigned, praying to meete you in this
vale of teares or hills of mercie abouc,
11 : Williams.*
* This letter, \vliich bears no date, was written, it will be perceived, after h brief
residence of Williams and his few companions ut Providence. They had become esta-
blished there, it is supposed, about June, 1636. The letter is addressed to Winthrop us
i^f'y/M/y- Governor; which nflire he held for the poUtical year ending May 17, 1637; on which
day he was again elected Chief-Magistrate. The reference to the preparations against the l*c-
quots may refer to Endccott's expedition, which sailed 24th or 2oth August, 1630, with three
pinnaces and two shallops. This letter is interesting, as afTording, perhaps, the earliest ac-
count extant of the way in which the civil affairs of the little community at Providence were
conducted at its first settlement. Of the agreements, or "subscriptions," which Willianis
here has thoughts of propounding to his neighbors, the second only is extant among the
records of the town of Providence. — Eds.
1637.] THE WINTHHOP PAPERS. 189
ROGER WILLIAMS TO HENRY VANE, OR TO JOHN
WINTHROP.
For his much honoured Mr, Chvemor or Mr. Deputie Oovemor,
these with apeede.
This last of the present weeke in the morning.*
Sir, — Miantunnomu with a great traine arrived the
same day that Anthony Dike departed hence with his sad
tidings, & confirmeth with the most the report of Antho-
ny. The Nanihiggonsicks are at present doubtfull of
realitie in all our promises : I haue alleadged the best
arguments I haue heard or could invent, to perswade rea-
litie of purpose & speedie performance, as allso reasons
of delay. Miantunnomu & his best Councell here with
him, haue requested me earnestly to make this proffer to
you. The Pequts are scarce of provision, & therefore
(as vsually so now especially) they are in some numbers
come downe to the sea side (& 2 Hands, by name Munnaw-
tawkit & Manittuwond especially) to take sturgeon &
other fish, as allso to make new fields of come, in case
the English should destroy their fields at home.
Miantunnomu desires to goe himselfe with one We-
quashf here at present with him, in this pinnace here left
by Anthony, or any other that shall take him in at the
Nanhiggonsick.
He will put in 40 or 50 or more as the vessell will
stow.
He will put in vitailes himselfe for his men. He will
direct the pinnace to the places, & in the night land his
men, despoile them of their canowes, cut of the men he
* Perhaps May, 1687, while Vane was Governorf and Winthrop Depaty-Governor; and
before the annual election on the 17th of that month. — Eds.
t The Peqat of whome I haue formerly writ~[WiLLiAM8*8.] Wequash was the
guide of Mason, who led the attack on the Pequot fort on the morning of the 26th May,
1637. — Eds.
190 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
finds (the greatest number being women & children, which
for the most of them he would cut of) as allso spoile their
fields : & this he proJflFers to doe without landing an Eng-
lish man, with whome he will remaine aboord in English
cloths which he desires for himselfe.
John, a seaman aboord, calls the Hand Plum Hand, &
is very willing to goe on the designe, & thincks, as allso
Miantunnomu doth, that if within 2 or 3 dayes they
went forth, they would be here againe within 4 or 5 or
less.
Sir, for my selfe I dare not advice : but if my
thoughts be asked I shall (with all due submission) say
this : —
It will at present wedge them in from any starting
aside vntill your forces shall follow.
If they speede it will weaken the enemie & distresse
them, being put by their hopes : as allso much enrage the
Pequts for euer against them, a thing much desirable.
Beside, the charge or danger of the English will be
none, vnless IVIiantunnomues course cloths & a large
coate for Wequash the Pequt guide, a man of great vse.
The Most Holy & only Wise be pleased to smile vpon the
face of the English that be his : (we haue all, if euer,
cause to examine our selues, our errands & worck) in the
face of Jesus Christ.
While I write a Messenger is come to Miantunnomu
from Neepemut, reporting a farr greater slaughter then
that Anthony brought word of, & since the for[mer] a great
number at the Plantacions, & some persons are mencioned,
but I will not name either, but hope & long to heare it
countermanded.
In case that Anthony or other seamen can not be gotten
suddenly, here is one with vs willing to make vp a third
man, (to the other 2 left with the pinnace), to carrie the
vessell, though I iudge Anthony himselfe the fittest.
Sir, Miantunnomu desird me to giue you a hint that
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 191
the 6 fathom of bcadcs which he gaue for the slaying of
Audsah be repaid him, & sent now if it may be, his warrs
keepe him bare.
Your worships vnfaignedly respectiue
Roger Williams.
For any gratuities or tokens Caunonicus desires sugar ;
Miantunnomu powder. My humble respects to all my
loving friends.
Sir, Miantunnomu is close in this his proiect, & there-
fore I thinck the messenger is sent only for the beades :
it is very convenient that Miantunnomues cloths & We-
quash his coate be sent by him.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
New Providence
this 6th of this present veeke, toward midnight.*
Sir, — By John Throckmorton I was bold to advertize
of the late mercifuU successe it hath pleased the Father of
Mercies to vouchsafe to the first attempts of our countri-
men against these barbarous.
After his departure toward you I went over to the
Nanhiggonsick, partly for intelligence & partly to en-
courage the Nanhiggonsicks in case the sad newes of
all their men & yours defeated were true.
I found the first newes of the cutting of the whole Fort
of the Pequts at Mistick to be certaine & vnquestionably
true, as I sent, witli litle or no variation, of which here-
after.
The newes of the cutting of if hundrcth Nanhiggon-
• Probably Friday, 2d June. The attack upon the Peqaot fort wns on the morning of
Friday, in the preceding week, 26th May, 1037. — See Winthrop's IKit. of N. E., i. 225.—
El>fL
192 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
sicks & all the English held still for currant & confirmed
that they were opprest with multitudes, their provision
being spent & the English wanting powder & shot & the
Nanhiggonsicks arrowes.
I gaue the best reasons I could to perswade that they
were all either gone togeather to Qunnihticut for provision,
or vpon some second assault vpon the other of the Pequt
Forts.
As allso I was bold to promise (in Mr. Governours name)
that allthough all these or more were cut of, yet there
should be fresh supplies of the English who would never
sheath their swords, &c.
This 5th day past toward night I haue receaved tidings
(blessed for euer be the Lord of Hosts) that the Nanhig-
gonsicks are all came safe home yesternight, (at noone I
came from thence), & brought word that the English were
all safe, but the first 3 slaine at the Fort with 2 of their
owne.
As allso that indeede they fought thrice that day of their
first victorie with no losse of their side, & with the losse of
2 Pequts more.
That themselues & the English prepard next day after
for their other Forts, found all fled, made themselues
lords of one, in which both English & Nanhiggonsicks
now keepe.
That Maumanadtuck one of their biggest, with great
troops, (as before he gaue out he could) is gone to Wun-
nashowatuckqut (the further Neepmucks.)
That Sasacous said he would to Long Hand, & thither
is gone or hid in the swampes, but not a Pequt is to be
found.
»
That Miantunnomu is come from Pequt to Nayantaquit,
& was resolued homeward to send out to Wunnashowa-
tuckqut where the enemie shelters & haue Forts,
Now Sir, considering the worck is effected (through the
mercie of the most High) in these parts, & that the Qun-
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 193
nihticut English, togcathcr with Capt. Patrick & his, are
suflfilcient to mainteine what they haue gotten, iS: pursue
Sasacous in all his motions thereabouts : I conceaveil (with
submission) that it might saue the countrey no small
charge, & hazard, & losse, timely to advertize & give
intellii'ence.
The AVunnashowatuckoogs & Pequts with them are
about the distance from you that we are : on them I con-
ceaue & vnderstand the Nanhiggonsicks next fall.
If you see cause & grounds to make a stop for a day or
2, if the I^ord please, the 2nd day or 3d of the next weeke
I liope to acquaint you with Miantunnomues & C'aunon-
uicus their advice & desire, which it mav be will be to
nieete his companies at the hither Neei)mucks & none
to come this way, or some the one way & some the other.
This morning I goe over (if the Lord please) to consult
with them, hoping to be at home (if possible) to morrow
evening, & so to dispatch some messenger the 2nd in the
morning.
Sir, your late message to the Neepmucks (through the
Lords mercy) hath wrought this effect, that whereas ,they
staggerd as nevters, they brought this present weeke divers
basketts of their nokehick & chesnuts to Ganounicous
towards his wars.
Sir, I vnderstand that the cause why the English hurt
so many of the Nanhiggonsicks, was want of signes or
marcks. You may please therefore to prouide some yel-
low or red for their heads : the Qunnihticut English had
yellow but not enough.
Thus beseechmg the God of Peace to be at peace with
vs, that all the fruit may be the taking away of our sinn,
(which if not removed will vnstop worse vialls) to guid
your consultations & prosper your expeditions to the prayse
of his owne most holy name, I rest
Your worships faythfull & affectionate in all civill
bonds liocjLK Wiij.iams.
2o
19-i THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
Sir for tlie young man that accorapanyes my man, the
countrcy may please to rccompence his time, or I shall.
Our best respects to Mrs. Wintrop & all your & our
loving friends.
ROGER AVILLIAMS TO JOHN AVESTHROP.
For his much honoured Mr. Governour these. Mr. Stoughton or
Capt. Traske, on their way, may please to reade this.*
New Providence this 4th of the weeke, mant4
Sir, — John Gallop (blessed be the Lord) is safely ar-
rived at our dores, Sc hath brought from the Lord & you a
mercifuU refresliing to vs. He be graciously pleased to
rccompence it a thoughsand fold to the whole land &
yourselues especially.
He relates that there is now riding below 3 pinnaces,
(the names of the masters Quick, Jiglies & Eobinson,)
& the 2 Shalops, as allso that the other, whereof
Jackson of Salem is master, was in company with
theril the night before, & waighed anchor togeather, but
being not able to tume about was faigne to chop to an
anchor againe, but they hope is in by this time.
Sir, I heare our loving friends, Mr. Stoughton, Mr.
Traske «&c. are on their way, & 160 (the intended number):}:
with them. I hope the continuance of the number will
be seasonable, if not for pursuit of Sasacous & the Pe-
quts, (of whome it is said that they are gone farr &
finally,) yet for the quelling of their confederates the
Wunnashowatuckoogs & Monashackotoogs &c, who Hue
necrer to you on the westward, &c. Some 200 of these
• It was jjcrhaps thought that the bearer of this letter might meet these persons **un
their vray " to join their Connecticut allies. — Eds.
t June, 1G37. In the latter part of this mouth, Stoughton had arrived at Pequot Kiver
with about one hundred and twenty men. See Mason's Hist, of the l*equot War, p. 14. —
Ki>s.
1 Sec ^\ inthrop'.. Ui»t. of N. K . i. 222.— Ku&.
1C3T.] THE WINTIIROP PAPERS. 195
(since the slaughter at the Fort) came in revenge vpon
the Xanhiggonsicks : which the Nanhiggonsicks them-
sehies knew not till three Pequts (now fallen to them)
rehited it : for it pleased the Lord to send a great mist that
morning that they durst not fight, & so returned : so that
there is cause to take some course with them, & especially
if it be possible for the clearing of land passage to Qunnih-
ticut.
I vnderstand it would be very gratefuU to our neigh-
bours that such Pequts as fall to them be not enslaved, like
those which are taken in warr : but (as they say is their
generall custome) be vsed kindly, liaue howses, & goods, &
fields given them : because they voluntarily choose to
come in to them, & if not receaved will [go] to the enemie
or turne wild Irish themselues : but of this more as I shall
vnderstand : thus in hast with best salutacions to Mrs.
Wintrop & all yours, with my poore desires to the Lord
for yours I rest
Your worships vnfaigned
Roger Williams.
My best respects to Mr. Deputie, IMr. Bellingham,
theirs, & other loving friends.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOIIN WINTHROP.
For his much honoured Mr. Gfouernour these.
New Providence, this 6th instantis.*
Much honoured Sir, — It having againe pleased the
Most High to put into your hands another miserable droue
of Adams degenerate seede, & our brethren by nature, I
am bold (if I may not offbnd in it) to request the keeping
• Probably July, 1037. See Winthrop's Hist, of N. E., i. 232.— Kds.
196 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. l-
& bringing vp of one of the children. I haue fixed mine
eve on this litlc one with the red about his neck, but I
will not be peremptory in my choice, but will rest in your
loving pleasure for him or any, &c.
Sir, Capt. Patrick giiies me a hint of the likely returne
of most of youer forces (Sasacous & about a score of men
with him & other companies, 4 score in one, surviving,) I
shall humbly propound whether it be not considerable,
that better now then hereafter the pursuit be continued.
1st, Because it may stop a conglutination betweene them
and the Mowhauogs, which longer time is like to make.
2ndly, Longer time will put many opportunities of occa-
sionall revenge into their hand, as we see in the 3 last cut
of vpon Qunnihticut river, after the fort cut of.
Capt. Patrick allso informes me of a great itch vpon the
souldiers to fiill fowle vpon our neighbours. Litle sparkes
proue great fires. The God of Peace who is only wise be
pleased to guide vs. Capt. Patrick confesseth that they
were the chiefe actors in the last captiues, & had taken
all by a wile & slaine 2 before the English came. I heare
no speech at present about imequalitie, but content & affec-
tion toward vs.
I much reioice that (as he sayth) some of the chiefe at
Qunnihticut (Mr. Heynes & Mr. Ludlow,) are almost
averse from killing women & children. Mercie outshines
all the worckes & attributes of him who is the Father of
Mercies, vnto whome with earnest supplications for you &
yours I rest Your worships vnfained
Roger Williams.
My best respects to good Mrs. Wintrop, Mr. Deputie.
Mr. Bellingham, & theirs.
1C37.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 197
ROGER AVILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
New Providence this 2nd 7nir.*
Sir, — Concerning your prisoners taken at Block Ilandf
I liaue informed the Sachims of your care not to iniure
them & desire to haue them cleared ; accordingly Cutsha-
maquene (now come from pursuing Sasacoijs who is fled
Southerly, farr out of reach) I say he hath receaued testi-
monie from the Sachims Princes that they are Nayantaquit
men, (Wepiteammocks men) & so all are Nanhiggonsick
men, & so indeede Sir I had thought to send you word at
this present, had not I receaued your letter, for it was con-
tinually affirmed to me for truth by all the Nanhiggonsick
men occasionally being here.
Sir, the last messenger that caried letters from you to
Pequat, related to the Sachims at Nanhiggonsick, that you
were displeased that the captiues brought to the [Bay
lajtely were taken by the English from the Nanhiggonsicks,
as allso the spoile vpon them, which was giuen to the
English souldiers. I haue answered that I thinck it was
not so, but I shall vnderstand the truth shortly ; & there-
fore. Sir, be pleased in your next to intimate a word, that I
may satisfie them, for though I would not feare a jarr with
them yet I would fend of from being fowle, & deale
with them wisely as with wolues endowed with mens
braines.
The last weeke is a battell fought betweene the hither
Neepmucks & and the further, the Wunnashowatuckoogs
&c. the successe is not yet knowne : it will be of conse-
quence, for it is said they fortifie, ioyning with scattered
Pequts.
Sir, The last day of the weeke Wequash the Pequt guide
• 2nd septimana?; that is, the second day of the week, or Mouday. Probably July 10,
1G37. See notes on p. 202. — Eds.
t See WiDthrop*d Hist, of N. E., i. 232. — Eds.
198 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
necre hand, slue his country man Sassawwaw, a Pequt,
allso Miantunnomues speciall darling, & a kind of Gcnerall
of his forces. There was yesterday some tumult about it
because Wequash Hues with Canounicus, & Miantunnomu
pursues the revenge & justice, &c.
By the way although Wequash it may be haue trea-
cherously allmost slaine him, yet I see the righteous hand
of the most High Judge, thus: Sassawwaw turnd to the
Xanhiggonsicks & againe pret€nds a returne to the Pequts,
gets them forth the last yeare against the Nauhiggonsicks
& spying advantage, slue the chiefe Pequt Captain & whips
of his head, & so againe to the Nanhiggonsick : their trea-
cheries exceedc Machiavills &c.
Sir, Capt. Stoughton left sick at my house one souldier,
a Boston man Tho : Roberts, his master is absent, & Mr.
Harding hath charge of him. I haue sent to him &c. The
man was neere death. Through the Lords mercy my wife
hath gott him vpon his legs, though very weake, only his
hearing is quite gone, & I should be glad to receaue any
helpe for him in that great losse. So with my respectiue
salutacions to Mr. Deputie, Mr. Bellingham, yours & theirs,
& other loving friends & my poore sighes to heauen to
meete you there if not here below, I rest
Your Worships vnworthy yet vnfaigned
Roger Williams.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTIIROP.
For his most honou[red] Governour these. The second letter.
New Providesce 2ndo Septimanro.*
Sir, — In the morning I wrote by John Throckmorton,
what I heard & thought in generall. It hath pleased the
Lord now this afternoone to send this messenger, (Assote-
* Truliably writton on the same day with the preceding letter. See address. — Eds.
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 199
muit) with varictie, & plentic, & strangenes of newes &
tidings, I hope true, & for ought I can disccme, true,
blessed be the holy name of the most High, who breakes
the bow & cuts the spear &c. Psal. 46.
This man was sent this morning from Miantunnomu &
Caunounicus (as I conceaue allso from all their chiefs in
councell) with charge to bring relacion to my selfe of what
hath lately happened amongst the Pequts : as allso that
with my letter he should make speede to your selfe with
tidings.
He relates that a Pequat man «& some 5 Pequt women
came 2 dayes since to the Xanhiggonsick, & with their
ordinary submission begd their lines, & libertie to declare
in the name of many others what had happened amongst
them : before that Pequt came one squaw, & a second came,
but was questioned much for their truth, but vpon the
comming & report of the old Pequat, he saith, they all
take his report for true.
This man himselfe, Assotemuit, is a noted messenger
from the Sachims, & one whome Miantunnomu hath com-
mended to me for an especiall messenger from him.
This Pequot & the women report that (as I allso heard
before) all the Pequts w^ere assembled some 10 dayes since
with Sasacous in councell : some perswaded to fight &
fall first vpon the Nanhiggonsicks (this allso w I heard be-
fore) the greater part dissented & were for remoovall:
Sasacous & about 4 score resolved for Mauquowkit, alias
Waukheggannick, where the men eaters are ; a hundreth
more for Long Hand; another company, the least, for
Qunnihticut, some part of it, with purpose to take finall
leaue of their countrey. 70 men, women, & children, (of
men betweene 20 & thirtie,) resolved for the Nanhiggon-
sicks to beg their Hues &c.
Sasacous & his company were wroth with these resolved
for the Nanhiggonsick, & a skirmish past betweene
them where some were wounded, but away they got, &
200 THE WIKTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
each company packt vp & departed their intended iour-
neyes.
Miantunnomu sent word to this company remayning
in the mid way betweene Pequatit & Nayantakick, that he
was in leauge with Mr. Governour, & therefore of him-
selfe would say nothing, but desired them there to rest (at
Cuppunaugunnit) in the mid way, vntill he sent to ^Ir.
Governour, & what he said that he would assent vnto.
They tould Miantunnomu that they had brought *i guns
with them. He sent the women for the guns, who fetclit
them from that place, Cuppunnaugunnit, & there they are
wnth him. Only he claimes a promise of one to himselfe,
which he deshes may be out of these 3, as allso some pow-
der & shot to it, as indeede was promised.* I haue much
laboured with this man to find, if it were possible, any
deceit or falsehood, but as he himselfe & the Sachims
question not the Pequt man & women, so I can not ques-
tion him.
I aske him (in discourse) what he thincks were best to
be done, he answereth that as Miantunnomu himselfe
when he sent to Canounicus to speake his minde, & Cau-
nounicus refusing sent to him to speake first, Miantun-
nomu would say nothing, but would say as Mr. Governour
said so himselfe would likewise say nothing. Yet in dis-
course I fisht out divers hints of their owne desire & good
liking.
As first, that there is not amongst these any Sachim or
any of those who were murtherers of the English ; if there
were they should die.
2ndly, That if Mr. Governour were so minded, they
incline to mercy & to giue them their lines : & I doubt
not but your owne breasts are farr more tender, like the
mercifuU Kings of Israeli.
ordly, That divers more beside these remaine in the
• Wlicii Ml. Vaiic wji- (luvcniour. — [WiixiAMs'a Notk.J
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 201
woods, Sc resolve to come in & submit if these be ac-
cepted.
4. For the disposing of them, I propounded what if Mr.
Governour did desire to send for some of them into the
Bay ; leaue some at the Nanhiggonsick & so scatter & dis-
perse them : this he liked well, that they should line with
the English 8c themselues as slaues. I then propounded
that if they lived amongst the English or themselues, they
might hereafter be false to the English &c., & what if there-
fore they were appointed & limited to line vpon Nayan-
tacawnick or some other Hand : & this he thought allso
well of, if not best, because they were most of them fami-
lies.
5. That they desire you would please to send some
English to take possession of the Pequt countrey «& there
to inhabite.
6. That for their owne hunting sake, Miantunnomu de-
sires that the English would inhabite that part neerest
Qunnihticut, & that Mistick * & thereabout might be free
for them. I told him that they might hunt in the woods
as they doe at Massachusett & here, notwithstanding the
English did generally inhabite : & this satisfied.
7. That they desire* the Pequts come might be enioyed
by the English & themselues as Mr. Governour please.
8. That the Wunnashowatuckoogs are also afraid &
fled, so that there is hope of a safe passage to Qunnihti-
cut by land.
9. That there is no hope that the Mauquawogs or any
other people wUl euer assist Sasacous, or any of the Pe-
quts, against the English, because he is now as it were
turned slaue to beg his life.
If all this be true (as I hope it is) we may all see the
God of Heaven delights in mercy & to draw by loue &
pitie then by fury & wrath. I hope Sir, now that troubles
* Which is neerest, & where the slaughter was. — [Williams's Notb.]
26
202 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [163T.
may arise from other parts, his holy Majestic is pleased to
quench these neerer fires. He be pleased to confirine this
newes, & tune all hearts to his prayses in the ordering of
our conversation aright. So I rest praying
Your worships Mifained
Roger Williams.
This man relates that yesterday, the Lord's day in the
morning, a Pinnace arriued, but he knowes not yet what
she is.
I pray Sir forget not to reward this messenger with a
coate, as allso some powder for iSIiantunnomu.
My loving respects to Mrs. Wintrop, Mr. Ueputie, Mr.
Bellingham, & theirs &c.
ROGER AVILLIAMS TO JOHN AVINTHROP.
For his much honoured Mr. Govemour these.
This 3rd Tap.*
Sir, — Yesterday by our neigbbur Throckmorton I
wrote concerning those Nayantaqifit men your pinnace
tooke. This bearer Jvanemo f (one of the chiefe Sachims of
that place & chiefe souldier) came last night with ncere a
score of his men to enquire after them. He was very desi-
rous of a letter to you : I told him I hoped he would find
his men at libertie. He hath brought a musket & a bar-
rell of a leue piece which his men tooke from the Pequts.
• The third day of the week; probably July 11, 1637. See note following. — Eds.
t Alias *' Ninififret/' Sachem of Niantick. A portrait of this chief is in possession
of the Winthrop Family, from a copy of which (made for the lato Lieut-Gov. Winthrop)
an enpraviiiR was made for Drake's Historj* of Boston. There is an interesting tradition
that the life of John Winthrop, Jr., was once saved by him. Winthrop records the
arrival of "Ayancmo" at Boston, on the I'ith July, with seventeen men. This was
Wednesday. Williams's letter was written on Tuesday, " 3rd 7» " (that is, 3d septimanic) :
probably the day before, or July 11. It appears, further on (page 204), that the bearer had
returned to Williams by the next " Lord's day ; " which fell on the 16th. — Eds.
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 203
There was a speacli that 3 of these men were Nayan-
takoogs & one a Pequat : it secmes lie is a Pequt borne,
but hath long since bene theirs, fallen to them, & done
good service in their warrs against the Pequts.
Sir, this Jvanemo is a notable instrument amongst them
&c, your wisedome, I know therefore, will lay hold of this
his visit, to engage him the more to you.
Thus humbly begging mercies from the (jod of heaven
for you & and yours in all aftiiires, I rest, in hast,
Your Worships vnfaigned
lloGER Williams.
All due respects & salutacions, &c.
ROGER WILLL\MS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
New Providence, this 15th of the 5th.*
Sir, — For the captiues & bootie, I never heard any of
these Natiues ([uestion the Acts of the English, only that
Natiue who brought letters to you from Capt. Patrick, &
was twice at Boston, related so much as I wrote of in my
former, at his returne to the Nanhiggonsick, viz, that your
selfe should be angry with the English, &c. I met since
with him, & he sayth he had it not from your selfe, but an
English man at lloxbury. I thought good to cleare your
name, & remooue suspicions from Mr. Stoughton, &c.
Wequash is aliue, so is allso the other like to recover of
his wound : I never heard that Miantunnomu was dis-
pleased with Wetpiash, for any service to the English, but
that Wequash was suspected to deale falsely when he
went to hunt for the Pequts at the rivers mouth. Tis
true there is no fcare of God before their eve, & all the
cords that euer bound the Barbarous to Forreiners were
• July, 1»537. — Eds.
204 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
made of selfe & covetuousnes : yet, if I mistake not, I ob-
serue in Miantunnomu some sparkes of true friendshipp,
could it be deepely imprinted into him that the English
never intended to despoile him of the countrey, I probably
coniecture his friendship would appeare in attending of vs
with 500 men (in case) against any forreigne enemie.
The Neepmucks are returned with 3 heads of the Wun-
nashoatuckoogs, they slue 6, wounded many, & brought
home 20 captiues.
Those Inlanders are fled vp toward the Mowhauogs : so
they say is Sasacous : our friends at Qunnihticut are to
cast a iealous eye at that people ; they say (vnles they are
belied) that they are to warre with the English, &c.
Truely Sir, to speake my thoughts in your eare freely, I
blesse the Lord for your mercifull dealing &c. but feare
that some innocent blood cryes at Qunnihticut. Many
things may be spoken to prone the Lords perpetuall
warr with Amalek extraordinary & misticall ; but the
2 Kings, 14, 5. 6, is a bright light discovering the ordi-
nary path wherein to walke & please him. If the
Pequts were murtherers (though pretending revenge for
Sasacous his fathers death, which the Dutch affirmed was
from Mr. Govemour) yet not comparable to those trea-
cherous servants that slue thek lord 8c king, Joash K. of
Judah, & tipe of Jesus, yet the fathers only perish in
their sinn, in the place quoted, &c. The blessed Lambe
of God wash away iniquitie & receaue vs graceously.
Thus with best salutes to your loving selfe & yours, Mr.
Deputie, Mr. Bellingham, & other loving friends with
them, & dayly cryes to the Father of Merceys for
you I rest Your Worships vnfaigned
Roger Williams.
Postscript. — Sir, to yours brought by Jvanemo on the
Lords day I could haue litle speech with him ; but con-
cerning Miantunnomu I haue not heard as yet of any
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 205
vnfaythfullnes towards vs ; I know they bely each other ;
& I obserue our country men haue allmost quite forgotten
our great pretences to K. & State, & all the world, con-
cerning their soules, &c. I shall desire to attend with my
poore helpe to discover any perfidious dealing, & shall de-
sire the revenge of it for a common good 8c peace, though
my selfe 8c mine should perish by it : yet I feare the Lords
quarrell is not ended for which the warr began, viz. the litle
sence, (I speake for the generall that I can heare of) of their
soules condicion, & our large protestations that way, &c.
The generall speech is, all must be rooted out, &c. The
body of the Pequin men yet line, & are onely remooved
from their dens. The good Lord grant, that the Mow-
haugs & they 8c the wh[ole] at the last vnite not. For
mine owne part I can [not be] without suspicions of it.
Sir, I thanckfuUy expect a litle of your helpe (in a way
of justice & ajquitie) concerning another vn[ just] debtour
of mine, Mr. Ludlow, from whome allso (in mine absence)
I h[aue] much suffered. The good Lord smile vpon you
& yours in the face of his annointed.
Your Worships vnworthy R. W.*
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop, "Mr. W:°" about We[quash] & the
Neipnetta."
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
For his muc/i honoured Mr. Oovemour these.
Nkw Providekce, 21 of 5th monthe.f
Much honoured Sir, — My vnfaigned lone & respect to
your soules etemall comfort, & firme perswation of your
levelling at the highest white, $ haue imboldned me once
* This letter is printed from the original, contained in a collection of miscellaneous
papers, amon^; the manuscripts of the Massachusetts Historical Society. It was written in
July, 1637. The day on which it is dated (the 15th) was Saturday. The "postscript/*
acknowledging the receipt of a letter from Gov. Winthrop, by Juanemo, ** on the Lord's
day,** must have been written afterwards ; perhaps on Monday. This letter was printed
in a former volume of our " Collections,** but not in its proper place ; and it is here intro-
duced for its connection with the letter immediately preceding. — Eds.
t July, 1687. — Eds. | The mark at which an arrow is shot. ~ Eds.
206 THE WINTHBOP PAPERS. [1637.
more to tell you of some poore though[t8] of mine owne,
penned & sent to some friends amongst you ; which hap-
pily, (if the good Lord so please) may some way conduce
to your sowles satisfaction in the midst of all your troubles.
I haue bene long requested to write my grounds
against the English preaching, &c. & especially my answers
to some reasons of Mr. Eobinson s for hearing.
In the midst of a multitude of barbarous distractions, I
haue fitted some thing to that purpose : & being not able
at present to transcribe the whole ; yet having bene long
sollicited by Mr. Buckley (from whome I receaved some
obiect[ions,)] & by many others, & of late by my worthy
friend Mr. Peters, [who had] sight of them, I haue
thought good to send so much [as I] haue transcribed, to
the hand of my loving friend Mr. Buckly.
Sir, I am bold to give you this intimacion, because in
these first loose leaues, handling the state of a Nationall
church, from the 38 page I haue enlarged the differences
betweene Israeli & all other states. I know & am per-
s waded that your misguidings are great & lamentable, &
the further you pass in your way, the further you wander,
& haue the further to come back, & the end of one vexa-
tion will be but the beginning of another, till conscience
be permitted (though erronious) to be free amongst
you.
I am sorry my straights are such that I can not tran-
scribe the remaynder, & especially what concernes the
matter most concerning your deare selfe, & therein espe-
cially the assoiling of some obiections, but if the Lord
please I line, I shall endeavour the rest, & thanckfully re-
ceaue any intimacion from your selfe, yea from the
least, whereby I might my selfe retume from any wan-
drings. The Lord Jesus be to you & me the Way, the
Truth, & he will be the Life allso. So prayes
Your Worships most vnfained
KoGER Williams.
1637.] THE WI^THROP PAPERS. 207
I haue no newes, but from Qunniliticut, the receauing
of Sasacous, his present Si company by the Mawhauogs,
& some promises of theirs to him to setle him againe at
Pequt. This weeke Souwonckquawsir, old Sequins sonn,
cut of 20 Pequt women & children in their passage to
the Mowhauogs, allso one Sachim who 3 yeares agoe was
w ith you in the Bay with a present.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
For hi^ much honoured Mr, Governour these.
Much honoured Sir, — I was fearefull that those dead
hands* were no pleasing sight (otherwise then a remarke-
able vengance had seazed vpon the first murtherer of the
English, Wauphanck) yet I was willing to permit what
I could not aproue, least if I had buried the present
myselfe, I should haue incurd suspicion of pride &;
HTonged my betters, in the natiues & others eyes : I haue
alwaies showne dislike to such dismembring the dead &
now the more, (according to your desire) in your name.
I was allso fearefull that mine owne hand (having no
commission from my heart (which is not in mine hand
but in the hand of its Maker, the Most High) to write
you ought of mine owne retume in spiritualls) I say
fearefull that mine owne might not be so gratefuU &
pleasing to you : but being calld vpon by your message
& your loue, (your paper), I am emboldened.
Concerning the Pequts, the souldiers here related to
me that Okace the Mohiganie Sachim had about 300
men with him on Pequt river, some 16 mile from the
howse, which I belieue are most of them Pequts & their
confederates the Wunnashowatuckoogs & their Inlanders
• See Winthrop's Hist, of N.E., i. 237. — Eds.
208 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
(whome he charged vuder paine of death not to come
to Canounicus) & with whome he hath made himselfe
great. This man is but a litle Sachim, & hath not aboue
40 or 50 Mohiganeucks which as the English told mc
were all he could make.
It is generally confirmed that Thomas Stanton* (as him-
selfe allso confest to me at my howse) was grossly cousend
& deluded by one Wequashcuck (a Nayantaquit Sachim)
who sheltred 4 Pequts Sachims & 60 Pequts at Long
Hand where now they are, where peace was made with
promise from the natiues not to permit one Pequt: yet
Wequashcuck marrying Sasacous his mother hath thus
deceaved you. This Wequashcuck was the man (to my
knowledge) that sheltred Audsah, the murthrer of Mr.
Oldham, & kept his head so long vpon his shoulders:
yet to this man Thomas Stanton (as it appeares) did to
much listen, slighting, I feare, to much the Nanhiggon-
sicks.
I find our Neighbours very eager to pursue these 4
Sachims & the 60 Pequts there, I presse them to patience
till Mr. Governours mind be knowne, & Miantunnomu (to
my knowledge) doth all he can to restreine them, or els
long since they had bene there. They plead that Mr.
Governour may please to accompanie, or send himselfe
against them, but can not by any article in the leauge bind
them to suffer so many of their enemies in a knot so neere
them.
I presse them to humane consideracion of so much
blood spilt, they answere if they haue the Sachims heads
they will make the rest Nanhiggonsicks, & for tlfe Long
llanders themselues & Wequashcuck, they will not medle
witli them, because of the peace Mr. Stoughton made with
them.
Concerning the ketles: Miantunnomu answeres, that
* A resident of Connecticut, who rendered great service as an Indian interpreter. — Eos.
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 209
he hath bene much wronged by the reports of enemies
& false friends to whom some of vs (as he saith) haue
hearkned before himselfe.
He saith he never knew of more then 2, one of which
the English vsed at the howse, & the other as he heares'
is at the Fort still : he sayth he hath many of his owne,
& in deede when I came first hiether I saw neere 10 or
12 which himselfe & Canounicus had.
He repaid me with a grievance about a Pequt canow
which he desired might be ordred by your owne hearing,
but it was denyed him : his plea seemes very faire : thus
this brother Yoteash having taken the great Sachim
(Puttaquappuonckquame who was kept in the pinnace
aUue sometime) tooke his canow, which, sayth he, the
English Captaines sitting all togeather were very wilUng
vnto : this canow Mr. Stoughton afterwards brought
about homeward : Miantunnomu & his brother claime it :
twas denyed : he requested that it might be left at my
howse till Mr. Govemours mind was knowne. Capt.
Stoughton would not ycald, but desired him to go along
to me, but sayth he, I would not trust my selfe with him,
seing he would not stand to Mr. Governours determination
about the canow : I would not haue mencioned this
least it might provoke Mr. Stoughton or any : but I
know to whome I intimate it : & I haue prettie well
appeased the matter allready.
He answeres all I can obiect to him with this : let
Mr. Govemour haue the hearing of it : I will rest in his
word, & obiecting to him in the particular before divers,
that the English complaine he was proud, he desired that
I would present to Mr. Governour these particulars, that
he had cause to mainteine his right, because, the Qunnih-
ticut English equalld Okace & the Mohiganeucks with
himselfe & his men.
Whereas sayth he these Mohiganeucks are but as a
t^vig, we are as a great tree.
27
210 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
They fell to the English but last yearc, we haue bene
euer friends &c.
Okace & his men had a hand in the death of all the
English & fought against the Rivers- mouth (at Qunniliti-
cut) we never kild nor consented to the death of an Eng-
lish man.
When the Dutchmen & we fought with the Pequts the
Mogianeucks ioyned against vs.
When Capt. Endicot came against the Pequts the Mo-
higaneucks receaved the Pequt women & children & kept
them, while the men fought with him &c.
Okace brought presents to Canounicus, & Miant[unno-
mu], yet at the same time killd 2 of his women treache-
rously.
They fell to the English this yeare in feare or other
policie, & we, (sayth he) haue continued friendship & loue
euer since they landed. Thus he pleaded &c., & yet proud
& covetous & filthy they are &c. only I was willing to gra-
tifie him in this, because as I know your owne heart stu-
dies peace, & their soules good, so your wisedome may
make vse of it vnto others who happily take some more
pleasure in warrs : The blessed God of Peace be pleased
to giue you peace within, at home, & round about you
abroad, So prayes
Your worships vnfainedly respectiue
Roger Williams.
To Mrs. Wintrop, Mr. Deputie, Mr. Bellingham &c. all
respectiue salutacions.
I haue at present returned Rich. CoUicuts Pequt girle
which Miantunnomu found out, & desired me to send
home, with promise of further enquiring.
ludorsed by Gov. Wiuthrop, *' Mr. Williams, 7:9: 1G37."
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 211
ROGER WILLIAMS TO RICHARD COLLICUTT.
For Ids kind friend Mr. liivhard ColUciU, these.
Kind Friend, — I lately wrote vnto you : once when I
sent home your boy, & againe when I sent the giilc :
concerning either of them, if you be minded to put
either of them away, I desire to giue you your desire:
otherwise I wish you much comfort in the keeping of them.
As I am many wayes indebted, so I haue many debts
comming to me. I take it very lovingly that you please
to hclpe me concerning Mr. Ludlow. I haue accord-
ingly sent you power to deale in it. In 3 respects I
request you to be serious & punctuall.
1st, It is now an old debt, especially my cow was
mine, left behind 4 yeares agoe for me in Virginia, & some
goats.
2ndly, I have requested the last yeare divers to helpe
me & gaue them power, but all failed me, so that I
shall haue cause to be thanckfuU to you aboue others.
3rdly, If his payment like you, I shall request you first
to satisfie your selfe, & shall remaine
Yours most vnfained Roger Williams.
I shall gladly satisfie not only your charge, but allso
your time & paines in dealing with Mr. Ludlow.
[power op attorney from ROGER WILLIAMS TO RICHARD COLLIGUT.]
Memorand : that I, Roger Williams of New Providence,
doe constitute & ordaine Richard CoUicut of Dorchester
my true & lawfuU Atturney, for me & in my name to aske
or demaund, sue or arrest, acquit or release George Lud-
low of all such summes of money or goods as are due unto
me from him. per me Roger Williams.
Tuis 12th of the 7th mon. (commonly calld) 16:J7.
212 THE WINTHEOP PAPERS. [1637.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
For his much honoured Mr. Oovernour ihe^e.
Sir, — Having vscd many meancs & many Attumies (in
my absence) to recover a debt of Mr. George Ludlow, &
fayled by all, & now last of all by Richard CoUicut who
vndertooke seriously, but comes of weakly in it : let me
humbly beg what helpe in a righteous way may be affoorded
(now in his departure) to cause him to deale honestly with
me who haue many yeares & in many wants bene jja-
tient toward him. The debt was for mine owne & wiues
better apparell put of to him at Plymmouth. My bills
are lost, but his owne hand which the bearer will deliver
is testimony sufficient. He hath vsed so many slights &
told so many false hoods that sir, if you believe more then-
you see, I must patiently giue my debt for desperate : how-
euer with my best respects to your kind selfe & Mrs. Win-
trop, & sighes to heaven for you, I rest
Your Worships vnfaignedly faythfuU till death
Roger Williams.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
New Providence, the 2nd of present weeke.*
Much honoured Sir, — I am bold to interpose (in all
humble respect) a word or 2 concerning the bearer, Mr.
Greene. Being at Salem this last weeke to take order
about the sale of his howse, & comming away, an ancient
• Probably Monday, 18th September, 1C87. At a Quarter Conrt held at Boston on the
19th, the bearer of this letter, "Mr. John Greene, of New Providence, was fined 20/.,
and committed until the fine of 2(»/. be paid, ... for speaking contemptnouBly of the
magistrates." — J/tm. Col. Recorthy \. 203. His fine appears to have been remitted;
but 6ce further in Winthrop's liist. of N. K., i. 256. — Ki>.«.
1637.1 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 213
acquaintance meetes him (Ed. Batter) & questions whether
he would come & line there againe, vnto which he an-
swered, how could he vnles he might enioy the freedome
of his soule & conscience. Ed. Batter replied he might
so, to which he again replied he knew that could not be,
for the power of the Lord Jesus was in the hand of civill
authoritie ; vpon this came by Mr. Endicot, calls Ed. Bat-
ter & questions him (as himselfe related to Mr. Greene)
what was their conference: the summe whereof being
told, Mr. Endicot warnd Mr. Greene to appeare at this
Generall Court.
Sir, for my selfe I have no partiall respect to Mr.
Greene nor relation, but of neighbours togeather: only
for the better following of peace, (euen when it flies from
vs) I am bold to acquaint with passages of truth (as I
can not but hope) before hand : I shall grieue much that
• any molestation or trouble should arise vnto you from
hence, or that there be the appearance of any further
jarr. Sir, I know to whome I speake. Mr. Endicot had
neede haue a true compasse for he makes great way &c :
the Father of Lights & Spirits mercifully be pleased to
guide all our steerings.
Mr. Greene here, is peaceable, a peacemaker, & a lover
of all English that visits vs. I conceaue he would not
disturbe peace in relating his judgment to his friend, (if I
may so call him) demanding it first allso of him, or els
I presume he should not haue heard a word of such mat-
ters, if I know Mr. Greene.
Sir, I here yet knot of any of the runnaway captiues
amongst our neighbours, yesterday I heard that 2 scapt
from them to the Pequt. If any be or doe come amongst
them I suppose they shall be speedily returned, or I shall
certifie where the default is.
Sir, I desire to be truelv thanckfull for the bov intended :
his father was of Sascjuankit, whore the last fight was : &
fought not with the English, as his mother (who is with
214 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
you & 2 children more) certi[fi]ed me : I shall endeavour
his good & the common, in him. I shall appoint some to
fetch him, only I request that you would please to giuc a
name to him.
Sir, concerning captiues (pardon my wonted boldnes)
the Scripture is full of mystcrie & the old Testament of
types.
If they have deserued death tis sinn to spare :
If they haue not deserued death then what punishments ?
Whether perpetuall slaverie.
I doubt not but the cnemic may lawfully be weaknd &
despoild of all comfort of wife & children &c, but I be-
seech you well weigh it after a due time of trayning vp to
labour, & restraint, they ought not to be set free : yet so as
without danger of adioyning to the enemie. Thus ear-
nestly looking vp to heaven for you & all yours I rest
Your worships vnfaigned -
Roger Williams.
My best respect to Mrs. Wintrop, Mr. Ueputie, Mr. Bcl-
lingham &c.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his much honoured Mr. Oovernour iJiese.
Sir, — Some while since you were pleased to desire mc
to signifie to the Sachims, the promise of the Block
Ilanders to your selues, & therefore their exemption from
all other submission & tribute. Their answere was that
as they had left them to Mr. Governour formerly vpon
Mr. Oldames death, so haue they done since, & haue had
no other dealing with them then for the getting of the
liead of Audsah tlio chiofo murthcror: as allso that thcv
vndcrstand the 100 fathom of beades to be yearely paid to
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 215
^Ir. Governour, in which respect they haue bene farr from
desiring a bead from them, & doe acknowledge them to be
wholy Mr. Governour s subiects.
Sir, I heare that there is now at Pequat with the Mona-
higaneucks one William (Baker I thinck his name is) who
was pursued, as is said, by the English of Qunnihticut for
vncleanenes with an Indian squaw, who is now with child
by him. He hath there gotten another squaw & lies
close, vnknowne to the English. They say he came from
a trading howse which Plymouth men haue at Qunnihti-
cut, & can speake much Indian. If it be he, when I lived
at Plymmouth, I heard the Plymmouth men speake much
of his evill course that way with the natiues.
The occasion that our neighbours know of him was
this : some 8 dayes since 6 Nanhiggonsick men were com-
ming from Qunnihticut, & by the way fell vpon some
• Pequts, who were rescued out of their hands by the Mona-
higaneucks, who allso bound those 6 Nanhiggonsicks
many dayes togeather at Monahiganick (vpon Pequat
river, where this William was) and spoild them of their
coats & what els they had.
The Sachims & the men are greatly incensed, affirming
that they can not but revenge this abuse oflFerd to their
men ; yet I haue got this promise that they will not doe
ought without Mr. Govemours advice.
Sir, I haue long heard, & these 6 men affirme, that there
are many of the scattered Pequts randevouzed with Okace
the Monahiganic Sachim & Wequash the Pequt, who
being emj^loyed as one of the guides to the English in
their late warrs, is growne rich & a Sachim with the Pe-
quts: & hath 5 or 6 runnawayes. There are all the
Runnawayes harboured (which vpon long & diligent
inquirie) I am ccrtaine & confident of, & can giue good
assurance that there is not one amongst all the Nanhig-
gonsicks.
Mr. Stoughton hath bene long assured that Meiksah,
216 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
Canounicus eldest sonn hath his squaw, but having en-
quired it out I find she was never at the Nanhiggonsicks,
but is married to one Meiksomp a Sachim of Nayantaquit,
which being neerer to Pequt is more friendly to the Pe-
quts : & where as I heare that Wequashcuck (who long
sheltered Audsah & so grossly deluded Tho : Stanton in
the late warrs) hath filled many baskets with beades from
Pequts Sachims & 120 Pequts which he sheltreth now at
Nayantaquit.
Okace the Monahiggon & Wequashcuck were lately
at Long Hand, from whence some few dayes since, Okace
caried away 40 Pequts to Monahiganick, & Wequashcuck
30 to Nayantaquit.
While I write Miantunnomu is come to my howse &
afliirmeth the same ; professing if I would advise him he
would goe over to Mr. Governour to acquaint the Govcr-
nour that Caunonicus & himselfe haue no hand in these
passages. He askes me often if he may safely goe, & I
assure him if he haue an honest heart he neede not feare
any deceit or treacherie amongst the English : so I
thinck within a day or 2 he will be comming towards
you.
He tells me what I had not heard that of those Pequts
to whome at the first by my hand you were pleased to
giue life, but 7 came to them, of which 5 allso long since
are gone to Monahiganick.
Sir, I forget not your loving remembrance of me con-
cerning Mr. Ludlowes debt. I yet know not where that
tobacco is: but desire if Mr. Cradocks agent, Mr. Jolly,
would accept it, that it may be delivered to him in part
of some payments for which I haue made over my howse
to Mr. Mayhew.
Sir, your servant Repriue lodged here 2 nights, & Mian-
tunnomu tells me that 5 dayes since he lay a night with
him & is gone to Block Hand. He is very hopefuUy im-
prooved since I first saw him : & am bold to wish that he
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 217
might now take his last farewell of his friends, to whom
you would be rather pleased to giue leaue to visit him at
Boston, for you can not beUeue how hard it is for him to
escape much evill & especially vncleanenes while he is
with them. The good Lord be pleased to blesse him to
you & to make you a blessing to him & many others.
[Torn] run hcadloug (without once hearing of it), in[to]
everlasting burnings. So prayes dayly
Your worships vnfaigned R : [Williams].
To Mrs. Wintrop, Mr. Deputie, Mr. Bellingham, &
theirs, respectiue salutacions.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Sir, — I acquainted this Indian Miantunnomu,* with
the contents of your letter sent by him, who rests well
perswaded that if it breake not first with them, the leauge
is firnie & lasting, & the English are vnfaigned.
I haue bought & paid for the Hand : f & because I de-
sired the best confirmacion of the purchase to your selfe
that I could, I was bold to insert your name in the origi-
nall here inclosed.
The 10 fathom of beades & one coate you may please
at leasure to deliver to Mr. Throckmorton : who will allso
be serviceable m the conveyance of s\vine this way.
Your natiue, Repriue, requests me to write a word for
himselfe & another for the Sachim of Block Hand, Jac-
quontu.
For himselfe he tells me when he departed hence being
alone he wandred toward Neepmuck: At Nayantuquit
• Winthrop*8 History of N.E., i. 243. — Eds.
t Probably Prudence Island, in Narragansett Bay ; tho deed of which is dated Not. 10,
1637, — the day on which this letter was written. — Eds.
28
218 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
Jvanemo said he was a spie from Mr. Governour, & threat-
ned to kill him, denied that there was Pequts, saying
(though Rcpriue saw many himselfe) that they were all
gone to Monahiganick, So he came back in feare of his
life to Wepiteammock (Miantunnomues brother in law)
who lent him a canow to Block Hand where he staid
but 6 dayes.
From Jaquauntu, Block Hand Sachim, that he is prepar-
ing 13 fathom of white, & 2 of blew to present you with
about the 1st Month.
That they are greatly in feare of the Nayantaquit
men who threaten them, in case the English fall vpon
Nayantaquit.
I am glad to see this poore fellow Repriue careful!
to please you, for he sayth you gaue him leaue for 28
dayes & though he could stay but 6 dayes where he desired
to stay longest, yet he will not lye.
He sayth his brother goes along with him to stay some
while, till the spring.
Sir, There are 2 Pequt squaus, brought by the Nanhig-
gansick, allmost starved ; viz : Mr. Coles his natiue, & one
guirle from Winisimmit : there was a 3rd (I thinck Mr.
Blackstones) who had scapt before to Nayantaquit. I
promised these, if they would stay at my howse & not run
away, I would write that they might be vsed kindly. The
biggest, ]\Ir. Cole his natiue, complaines that she of all the
natiues in Boston is vsed worst : is beaten with firesticks,
& especially by some of the servants.
The litle one makes no complaint of vsage, but sayth
she was inticed by that other squaw, which I thinck was
Mr. Blackstones. I asked the biggest, who burnt her &
why, she told me Mr. Pen because a fellow lay vnth her, but
she saith, for her part she refused.
My humble deshe is that all that haue those poore
wretches might be exhorted as to walke wisely & iustly
towards them, so to make mercy eminent, for in that at-
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 219
tribute the Father of mercy most shines to Adams misera-
ble ofspring.
Su', I feare I am taedious yet I must craue leaue for a
line more: I receaved a letter from some in Charlestowne,
(in speciall from one Beniamin Hubbaid) intimating his
& otliers desire (with my helpe & furtherance) to be my
neighbours in some place neere adioyning: Mr. James
hath not declared himselfe to be one, but I guesse he is
inclining to accompanye them. On the Nanhiggonsick
side the natiues are populous, on the side to Massachuset-
ward Plymmouth men challenge, so that I presume if
they come to the place where first I was, Plymmouth will
call them theirs. I know not the persons, yet in generall
could wish (if it be either with countenance or conni-
vance) that these wayes might be more trod into these
inland parts, & that amongst the multitudes of the barba-
rous, the neighbourhood of some English Plantation (es-
pecially of men desiring to feare God) might helpe &
strengthen. I shall be thanckfuU for a word of advice,
& beseeching the Most Holy & only Wise in mercy & good-
nes to know & guide the soules of his in this remote
willdernes, & in this materiall desart, to discover gra-
ciously the misticall where 1200 & 3 score dayes his saints
are hid. Revel. 12. I rest
Your Worships, sorry that I am not more yours &
neither of vs more the Lords.
R. Williams.
To Mrs. Wintrop all respectiue remembrance.
I shall beg (this winter in some leasure) your helpe
with my bad debtours, James & Tho : Haukins, from
whome as yet I get nought but words.
loth of JHh.*
• November, 1637. — Eds.
220 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
20th of the 0th.*
Sir, — I rest thanckfully satisfied in your propounding
of my motion to the Court, & the answere. (The earth
is Jehovahs, & the plenitude of it.) I am not a little
glad that the lot is fallen vpon a branch of that roote,
in whose good (present & oetemall both of roote &
branches) I reioice. For his sake I wish it ground,
& grasse, & trees, yet what vse so euer he please to
make of it, I desire he would not spare to make vse of
me in any service toward the natiues on it or about it.
Miantunnomu in his relations of passages in the Bay
with you, thanckfully acknowledges to my selfe & others
your loving cariage to him j" & promiseth to send forth
word to all natiues to cease from Prudence, trees &c.
Since your letter I travelled vp to Nayanfciquit by land
where I heard Repriue was : there the Sachim (to
whome he adheres, Wepiteammock) & the people related
that he was gone to his wife to Monhiggin : also that he,
Wepiteammock, had sent to Onkas advising & vrging their
retume, but he could not prevaile, & that if Repriue come
within his reach he will send him (though alone without
his wife) howeuer.
I travelled to Monhiggin & vnderstood that they were
all at Pequt Nayantaquit, but Onkas not being at home
(but at Newhaven) I could not doe ought.
Sir, I haue often called vpon your debtour, Joshua, but
his ill advisednes of refusing my service & spending of his
time vpon a howse & ground hath disabled him. Vpon
this occasion of your louing proffer of the halfe of the
debt (8li) to my selfe, I shall be vrgent with him to seeke
* November, 1637. — Eoa.
t Sec Wiuthrop's Hist, of N. E., i. 243. — Eds.
1G37-8.] THE WI^^THROP PAPERS. 221
some course of payment of the whole to your selfe, from
whome in rccompence of any paines &c., I desire no
other satisfaction but your louing & wonted acceptation,
yea, although the busines had bene effected. Sir, I had*
almost bene bold to say my thoughts what I would doe
in this case, were the runnawayes mine, but I will not
more at present. If you shall please to require account
of what my observacion hath taught me, I shall readily
yeald it in my next, euer begging mercy & truth to you
& yours, & my loving friends with you. The Lord Jesus
rcturne vs all (poore runnawayes) with weeping & suppli-
cations to secke him that was nailed to the gallowcs ; in
him I desire to be (& mourne I am not) more
Your Worships vnfaigncd
Roger Williams.
Sir, I reccaucd 6 fathom of beades from Mr. Throc-
morton, which though I will not returne, yet I account
them yours in my keeping.
Sir, I pray my rcspectiue remembrance to Mrs. Win-
trop.
ROGER WILLL\MS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Providence 10th of the 11th month.*
Much honoured Sir, — It having pleased the Most
High to besiege vs all with his white legions, I rcioice at Job as. as.
this occasion from Qunnihticut (these letters sent to mc
by Mr. Hooker) that I may here of your wcUfare & health,
which I wish & beg vnfaignedly of the Lord.
Mr. Hooker intimates a report to me that they heare
from the Mouahigancucks that Miantunnomu intends Tho :
* Trobubly Jauuurv, 1G37-8. — Lva.
222 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637-8.
Stantons death. I haiie taken some paines in it, & other
passages sent me, finding them slanders : & since (for many
good ends &) for keeping a passage open betweene your-
selues & Qunnihticut by natiues, summer & winter, a peace
is much to be desired betweene the Monahig : & Nanhig-
gon. I haue proffered my paines in procuring a meeting
of the averse Sachims, if it please the Magistrates of
Qunnihticut to order Owokace (the Monahig : Sachini) to
touch in at the Nanhiggonset mouth, where I hope to get
the Nanhiggonset Sachims aboord, & it may please the
God of Peace to sane much blood & evill, &c.
Only it behooues our friends of Qunnihticut, as I haue
writ to them, to looke to the 2 or 300 Pequts harboured
by Wocase the Monahiggen, as allso William Baker of
Plymmouth, (of whome formerly I wrote) who is there
hid, is turned Indian in nakcdnes & cutting of hairc, &
after many whoredomes, is there maried : this fire brand
with those Pequts may fire whole to^vncs: I haue inti-
mated how they may with ease take him.
Sir, let me [be] humbly bold to request a favour of you :
I am at present destitute of a man servant, & much desire,
if you light on one that desires to feare the Lord, remem-
ber me. I haue a lustie canow & shall haue occasion to
runn downe often to your Hand (necre 20 miles from vs)
both with mine owne & (I desire allso freely) your wor-
ships swine, so that my want is greatt. I would spare no
charge, either out of those beads & coate in your owne
hand : the tobacco from Mr. Ludlow, & 8 or 10/i in James
& Tho : Hawkins hand of which I heare not yet.
Sir, If any letters from yourselfe or other friends are
for Qunnihticut, I entreate you make hast & speede by
this messenger, for I cause 4 natiues who came from Qun-
nihticut to stay his comming : I haue allready paid him, so
that his expectation is not great. Thus longing to heare
of your healths, & with earnest & dayly wishes for that
peace which this world cannot giue nor bike from you, &
1637-8.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 223
my poore wines & mine owne best salutes to your dearest
com})anion, I rest
Your Worsliips to my power faythfuU
Roger Williams.
My due respects to Mr. Deputie, Mr. Bellingham, theirs,
& other loving friends &c.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
For his mtich honoured & beloved Mr. Oovemour these.
Providence 28th of the 12th.*
Sir, — Some few dayes since I receaved letters from
Mr. Hooker, who had safely receaved your packet with
thancks &c.
lie intimated that according to Miantunnomues infor-
macion by my selfe, William Baker was hid at Monahi-
ganick, but they had made Okace & Wcquash to bring
him in. Since Avhich time (Seargeant Homes baling him)
he is againc escaped.
He allso signified the desire of the Magistrates at Qunn-
ticut that there the meeting should be : as allso that in the
meane season they had charged the Monahiganeucks not
to molest any natiues in their passage & travell &c. requir-
ing the same of the Nanhiggonsicks towards the Monahi-
ganeucks.
Accordingly I haue bene since at Nanhigonsick & find
Mianturinomu willing to goe to Qunnticut by the time
limited, the end of the next month ; only first he desired
to know Mr. Governour's mind : 2ndly in case his father
in law Caunounicus his brother, (whome I saw necre death
with aboue a thoughsand men mourning & praying about
«
• Probably February, 1637-8.— Eds.
224 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637-8.
him) in case he recover, otherwise it is \Tilawfull for them
(as they couceaue,) to goe farr from home till toward mid
sommer. 3rdly, he desires earnestly my companie, as
being not so confident of the English at Qunnticut, who
haue bene (I feare) to full of threatnings : 2ndly he can
not be confident of Tho : Stanton's faythfullnes m point
of interpretation. These things make me much desire
(as I haue written back) that you would both please by
some deputed to make my poore howse the center where
seemes to be the fairest oflfer of convenience, & I hope no
question of wxUcome.
Visiting Caunounicus lately recovered from the pits
brinck this winter, he asked how Mr. Govemour & tlie
English did, requesting me to send him 2 words: 1st that
he would be thanckfuU to Mr. Govemour for some sugar
(for I had sent him mme owne in the depth of the winter
& his sicknes). 2ndly he called for his sword, which said
he Mr. Governour did send me by you & others of the
English, saying Mr. Governour protested he w^ould not
put vp his sword, nor would he haue vs put vp ours, till
the Pequt w^ere subdued, & yet sayth he at Monahiganick
there are neere 300, who haue bound & robd our men
(euen of the very covering of their secret parts) as they
haue past from Qunnticut hether: after much more to
this purpose, I told him that Mr. Governour had promised
him to sett all in order this spring.
Sir, I vnderstand that Okace the !Monahigon hath Sasa-
cous his sister to wife, & one of the wiues of Sasacous his
father Tattaopaine, & thats one reason, beside his ambition
& neerenes, that he hath drawne all the scattered Pequts to
himsclfe & drawn much wealth from them : more I could
trouble vou with &c.
Caunounicus & Miantunnomu both desired that there
might be a division made of these surviving Pequots
(except the Sachims & murtherers) & let their share be at
your owTie wiscdome.
1637-8.] THE WINTHROr PAPERS. 225
I shall be humbly bold to present mine owne thoughts
concerning a division & disposall of them : since the Most
High delights in mercy, & great revenge hath bene all-
ready taken, what if (the murthercrs being executed) the
rest be divided & dispersed, (according as their numbers
sliall arise, & division be thought fit) to become subiect
to your selues in the Bay & at Qunnticut, which they will
more easily doe in case they may be sufFred to incorporate
with the natiues in either places: as allso that as once
Edgar the Peaceable did with the Welsh in Nortli Wales,
a tribute of wolues heads be imposed on them &c. which
(with submission) I conceaue an incomparable way to saue
much cattell aliue in the land.
Sir, I hope shortly to send you good newes of great
hopes the Lord hath sprung vp in mine eye, of many a
poore Indian soule enquiring after God. I haue convinced
hundreths at home & abroad that in point of religion
they are all wandring, &c. I find what I could never
heare before, that they haue plenty of Gods or divine
powers : the Sunn, Moone, Fire, Water, Snow, Earth, the
Deere, the Bcare, &c, are di\dne powers. I brought home
lately from the Nanhiggonsicks the names of 38 of their
Gods, all they could remember, & had I not >vith feare &
caution withdrew, they would haue fallen to worship, O
God, (as they speake) one day in 7, but I hope the time is
not long that some shall truely blesse the God of Heaven
that euer they saw the face of English men. So waiting
for your pleasure & advice to our neighbours concerning
this intended meeting for the establishing of peace
through all the bowells of the countrey, & beseeching
the Most High to vouchsafe his peace & truth through
all your quarters, with my due respects to Mrs. Wintrop,
Mr. Deputie, Mr. Bellingham, &c, I rest
Your Worships in all true respect & aflfection
Roger Williams.
29
226 THE WINTHROr PAPERS. [1638.
Sir, I heard no more as yet from Charlstowne men com-
ming this way. Mr. Coxall & Mr. Aspinwall haiie sent to
me about some of these parts, & in case for shelter for
their wiues & children.
Indorsed by Gov. AVinthrop, " Provisions to be sent by the Salem
Bark to 'Mr, Williams & Mr. Throckmorton, Mr. Harlackenden knowes
more."
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
For his muck honoured dk beloved Mr. Governour at Boston^ these.
Providence 16th of this 2nd.*
Much honoured Sir, — I kindly thanck you for your
loving inclination to receaue my late protestation concern-
ing my selfe, ignorant of Mr. Greenes letter &c. I desire
vnfeignedly to rest in my appeale to the Most High in
what we differ, as I dare not but hope you doe : it is no
small gricfe that I am otherwise perswaded, & that some
times you say (& I can say no lesse) that we diflFer : the
fire will tr}' your workes & mine : the Lord Jesus helpe vs
to make sure of our persons that we seekc Jesus that was
crucifyed : howeuer, it is & euer shall be (the Lord assist-
ing) my endeavour to pacific & allay, where I meete with
rigid & censorious spirits, who not only blame your actions
butt doome your persons : & indeede it was one of the
first grounds of my dislike of John Smith the miller, &
especially of his ^\ife, viz. their iudging of your persons as
[divellsf] &c.
I allso humbly thanck you for that sad relation of the
monster J &c. The Lord speakes once & twice: he be
pleased to open all our eares to his discipline.
• April, 1038. — Kl)S.
t Tlie word included In brackets is expunged in the original. — Eds.
X Winthrop*s accouut of the *' monster" is recorded in his Hist, of N. £., tinder date of
March 27, 1038. — Ei>8.
1638.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 227
Mrs. Hutchinson (with whome & others of them I haue
had much discourse) makes her apologie for her conceale-
ment of the monster, that she did nothing in it without
Mr. Cottons advice, though I can not belieue that he sub-
scribes to her applications of the parts of it. The Lord
mercifully redeeme them, & all of vs from all our delu-
sions, & pitie the desolations of Zion & the stones
thereof.
I find theu* longings great after Mr. Vane, allthough
they thinck he can not retume this yeare : the eyes of
some are so earnestly fixt vpon him that Mrs. Hutchinson
profcsseth if he come not to New, she must to Old Eng-
land.
I haue endeavoured by many arguments to beate of
their desires of Mr. Vane as G : G : & the chiefe are
satisfied vnles he come so for his life, but I haue endea-
vomed to discover the snare in that allso.
Sir, concerning your intended meeting for reconciling of
these natiues our friends, & dividing of the Pequts our
enemies, I haue ingaged your name, & mine owne ; & if
no course be taken, the name of that God of Truth whome
we all profess to honour will suffer not a litle, it being an
ordinary & common thing with our neighbours, if they
apprehend any shew of breach of promise in my selfe,
thus to obiect : doe you know God, & will you lye ? &c.
The Pequts are gathered into one, & plant their old
fields, Wequash & Okace carying away the people & their
treasure, which belong to your seines : I should be bold
to presse my former motion, or else that with the next
convenience they might be sent for other parts, &c.
I hope it will never be interpreted that I press this out
of feare of any revenge vpon my selfe by any of them. I
euer yet (in point of reason to say no more) conceaved
this place the safest of the land, & can make it appeare
&c, but out of desire to cleare your names & the name of
the most High, which will be ill reported of in case
228 THE WINTHROr PAPERS. [1638.
(according to so many promises) an honourable & peacea-
ble issue of the Pequt warr be not established.
Sir, the bearer hereof (not daring either to bring my
letter or attend for an answere) I must request you to send
your letter to Richard Collicuf s, that so a natiue may con-
vey it, or els to Nicholas Vpshall's : & I should be bold
humbly to propound to the countrey whether in case there
be a nccessitie of keeping leauge with the natiues, & so
consequently many occasions incident, (& some which I
will not write of) as allso a conveniencie of informacion
this way, how matters may stand with you on the sea
shoare, as I say, whither it be not requisite so farr to dis-
pence with the late order of restraint as to permit a mes-
senger freely.
Tis true I may hire an Indian : yet not alwayes, nor
sure, for these 2 tilings I haue found in them : sometimes
long keeping of a letter : 2ndly if a feare take them that
the letter concemes themselues they suppresse it, as they
did with one of special informacion which I sent to Mr.
Vane.
Sir, there will be new Heavens & a new Earth shortly
but no more Sea. (Revel. 21. 2.) the most holy God be
pleased to make vs willing now to beare the tossings, dan-
gers & calamities of this sea, & to scale vp to vse vpon
his owne grounds, a great lot in the glorious state aproach-
ing. So craving pardon for prolixitie, with mine & wiues
due respect to Mrs. Wintrop, Mr. Deputie, Mr. Belingham,
&c. I rest
Your worships desirous to be ever yours vnfeigned
Roger Williams.
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop, " 2. IG. 1C38."
1638.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 229
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Providence.*
Sir, — I sometimes feare that my lines are as thick &
over busie as the muskeetoes &c., but your wisedome will
conniue, & your loue will cover, &c.
2 things at present for informacion.
First, in the aflfaires of the Most High ; his late dreadfull
voice & hand : that audible & sensible voice, the Earth-
quake, f
All these parts felt it, (whether beyond the Nanhiggon-
sick I yet leame not), for my selfe I scarce perceaued
ought but a kind of thunder & a gentle mooving &c, & it
was no more this way to many of our owne & the natiues
apprehensions, & but one sudden short motion.
The younger natiues are ignorant of the like : but the
ellder informe me that this is the 5th within these 4 score
yeare in the land : the first about 3 score & 10 yeare since :
the second some 3 score & 4 yeare since, the third some
54 yeare since, the 4th some 46 since : & they allwayes
observed either plauge or pox or some other epidemicall
disease followed ; 3, 4 or 5 yeare after the Earthquake, (or
Naunaumemoauke, as they speake).
He be mercifully pleased himselfe to interprete & open
his owne ridles, & graunt (if it be pleasing in his eyes) it
may not be for destruction, & but (as the Earthquake be-
fore the Gaolors conversion) a meanes of shaking & turn-
ing of all hearts, (which are his,) English or Indian, to
him. To further this (if the Lord please) the earthquake
sensibly tooke about a thoughsand of the natiues in a most
soUemne meeting for play, &c.
• Probably June, 103H. — Eds.
t The first earthquake named by Winthrop, Johnson, Hull, and Bradford, was June 1,
as recorded by the three former, and '* about tlie 2d," according to Uradfonl, lii'-iK — Kd8.
230 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1638.
2ndly, a word in mine owne particular, only for informa-
cion. I owe betweene 50 & 60/t to Mr. Cradock for
commodities receaved from Mr. Mayliew. Mr. Mayhcw
will testifie that (being Mr. Cradocks agent) he was con-
tent to take payment, what (& when) my howse at Salem
yealded : accordingly I long since put it into his hand, & he
into Mr. Jollies, who beside my voluntarie act & his attach-
ment since, sues as I heare for dammages, which I ques-
tion : since I haue not failed against contract & content of
the first agent, but the holy pleasure of the Lord be done :
vnto whose mercifull armes (with all due respects) I leauc
you, wishing heartily that mercie & goodncs may euer
follow you & yours.
lloGER Williams.
Sir, to your deare companion, Mr. Deputie, Mr. Beling-
ham, & theirs, all rcspectiuc salutes &c.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN AVINTIIROP.
For his much honoured d; [l)€lo]v€d Mr. Governour of Massadiu-
sctSj tlicaCj in hast.
Providence this 5th of present weeke.*
Much honoured Sir, — Blessed be the Father of mer-
cies that once againe I receaued your hand the last night
by the messengers by whome I sent.
By them I vnderstand that according as you please to in-
timate your expectation, Mr. lleynes is come : with Okace,
34 Monahiggins, & 6 Pequts.
One of the 6 Pequts is Pametesick, which was one of
the murthercrs who cut of the 3 English, going in a boate
* About June, 1098. ~ See \ViHihrop'$ ITttt. of N. E., i. 260. — Kdb.
1638.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 231
for clay vpon Qunnihticiit river, after the Fort was cut of.
They not only spilt their bloud, but exercised inhumane &
tonncnting revenge vpon 2 of them, which cries for ven-
geance to heaven.
So that I refer it humbly to your wisedome whether
(although I desire not the destruction of the sur\iAdng
Pequts, but a safe dispersion of them, yet) the actuall mur-
therers be not to be surrendred vp, & this Pametesick
(I am partly confident this is he) at present apprehended:
Our loving friends of Quinnihticut reported that some
Monahigganie women were wronged (as their hair cut of
&c.) by the Nanhiggonsicks : but Okace knowes it was
done by Wequashcuck of Nayantuquit, to whom Okace
sent for a Pequt queene. They 2 haue got in the Pequts
(though Okace haue the harvest.) Against Wequash-
cuck Caunounicus or Miantunnomu had long since pro-
ceeded, but our loving friends of Qunnihticut interposed :
I hope for the best to saue bloud. So beseeching the great
Councellour & Prince of Peace to guide your councills, I
rest your Worships most vnworthy yet vnfaigned
Roger Williams.
All respectiue salutes, &c.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
For his much honoured & heloucd Mr. John Wintrop at his howse
in Boston, these.
Prouidexce 23, 5th.*
2 dayes since I was bold to present you with a line, &
still (so it pleaseth the most High,) I am occasioned againe
to be a constant trouble &c.
These your Worships servants visiting me in their tra-
• Probably 1638. —Eds.
232 THE WINTHROP TAPERS. [1638.
veil, I enquire after your runnawayes. The man saytli he
hath much to relate to your selfe, & wanting vtterance
desires me to write. He sayth he hath enquired much
after the runnawayes, & \Tiderstands for certaine that they
are all at Monhiggin.
That the flight was long since plotted, for he hath now
heard by a Pequot that came from Monhiggin, that the 10
Monhiggins which came to your Worship in the spring to
buy one of the maidens, & offered 10 fathom of beades,
came from Onkas, who intended that maide for his wife.
That he gaue order to those 1 0 men, that (in case they
could not buy her) they should leaue one man there at
your howse, to perswade & worck their escape.
That man was the Pequt Robin* who hath effected his
busines, for which (as he heares) Onkas promised him &
hath giucn him the 10 fathom of Wompani.
Onkas hath taken the 2 daughters Marie & Jane both to
wife, & sayth that now he hath done sending of presents
to Massachuset.
Repriue was promised Joane by the Old Squaw for the
furtherance of the busines & hath her. He advised thei r
escape by Neepmuck, because once before, escaping
through the Narigansett countrey, himselfe was sent back
by the Nariganset Sachims.
This man thincks allso that no Indian meanes will be
able to effect their returne, but that the English must fetch
them. It will be your worships wisedome to forecast so
much, & to prepare (Captaine Patrick & many more may
be occasioned to fetch theirs allso.) Yet I request your
Worships patience a few dayes.
Sir, this young man who comes along, is this woman's
nephew, an ingenuous sober fellow, one of my long ac-
quaintance, whome I called Oldway, as his Indian name
(Necawnimeyat) signifies ; he tells me he hath a good mind
* Causa SeDamut. — [ Note by Williams.]
163-.] THE WINTHROr PAPERS. 233
to abide one yeare with these his friends in j onr worships
service. I inconrage him & present him to your wisedome
& pity, not knowing but that the purpose of the Only Wise
& most pitiful! God may be toward him for good. Vnto
the euerflowing streames of the most holy Fountaine of
living waters, (whose drops are able to refresh & saue
worlds of wandring soules), I heartily recommend your
worship, your dearest companion, & all yours, grieuing that
I dare be no more yoiu* worships
R: Williams.
nOGER W^ILLTAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Providence the 24th of the 8th.*
Sir, worthy & well beloved, — I was abroad about
the Pequt busines when your letter arived, & since mes-
sengers haue not fitted, &c.
I therefore now thanckfully acknowledge your wisedome
& gentlenes in receaving so lovingly my late rude &
foolish lines : you beare with fooles gladly because you
are wise.
I still waite vpon your loue & faythfuUnes for those
poore papers, & can not but belieue that your heart,
tounge, & pen should be one, if I were Turke or Jew,
&c.
Your 6 Quicries I wellcome, my loue forbidding me to
surmise that a Pharisee, a Sadduce, an Herodian, &c. wrote
them ; but rather that your loue & pitie framed them as a
phycitian to the sick, &c.
He that made vs these soules & searcheth them, that
made the care & eye, & therefore sees & heares I lie not,
but in his presence haue sadly sequestred my selfe to
* The dnte of this uiul the three following letters is u little uncertain ; and they pro-
bably are not precisely in order in thi» place. — Eds.
30
234 THE WINTHROP PArEllS. [163-.
his holy tribunall, & your iiitergatories, begging from his
throne those 7 fiery lampes & eyes, his holy Spirit, to
helpe the scrutinie, desirous to suspect my selfe aboue the
old serpent himselfe, & remembring that he that trusteth
in his o^\Tie lieart is a foole. Prov. 28.
While I answere let me ymportime from your loving
breast that good opinion that you deale with one (how
euer so & so, in your judgment yet) serious, & desirous in
the matters of God's Sanctuarie to vse (as the double
waights of the Sanctuarie teach vs) double diHgence.
Your first Quierie then is this.
What haue you gayned by your new-found prac-
tices? &c.
I confess my gaines cast vp in mans exchange are losse
of friends, esteeme, maintenance, &c., but what was gaine
in that respect I desire to count losse for the excellencie
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord : &c. To His
all glorious Name I know I haue gained the honour of
one of his poore witnesses, though in sackcloth.
To your beloved selues & others of Gods people yet
asleepe, this witnes in the Lords season at your waking
shall be prosprous, & the seede sowne shall arise to the
greater puritie of the kingdome & ordinances of the Prince
of the kings of the earth.
. To my selfe (through his rich grace) my tribulacion hath
brought some consolacion & more evidence of His loue,
singing Moses his song & the Lambes, in that weake vic-
torie which (through His helpe) I haue gotten oucr the
beast, his picture, his marke, &; number of his name. Revel.
15. 2. 3.
If you aske for numbers, the witnesses are but 2 : Re-
vel. 11., & how many millions of Christians in name, &
thoughsands of Christians in heart, doe call the truths
(wherein your selfe & I agree in witnessing) newfound
practices ?
Gideons armie was 32 thoughsand; but cowardize re-
163-0 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 235
turned 22 thoughsand back, & 9 thoiighsand seaven hnn-
dretli worldlings sent but J3 bundreth to tbc battell.
I will not by proi)becyc exasperate, but wish (in the
black & stormie day) your companie be not less then Gi-
deons, to fight (I meane with the Blood of the Lambe &Re^^ 1211.
Word of Witnes) for what you professe to see.
To youi- 2nd, viz. Is your spirit as euen as it was 7
yeares since ?
I will not follow the fashion either in commending or
condemning of my selfe. You & I stand at one dreadfull,
dreadfuU tribunall : yet what is past I desire to forget, &
to press forward towards the marke for the price of the
high calling of God in Christ.
And for the euennes of my spirit.
Toward the Lord, I hope I more long to know & doe
His holy pleasure only, & to be ready not only to be ba-
nished, but to die in New England for the name of the Lord
Jesus.
Towards your selues, I haue hietherto begd of the Lord
an euen spirit, & I hope euer shall, as
First, reverently to esteeme of, & tenderly to respect the
persons of many hundreths of you, &c.
2ndly, To reioice to spend & be spent in any service,
(according to my conscience) for your wellfares.
3rdly, To reioice to find out the least swarving in judg-
ment or practice from the helpe of any, euen the least of
you.
Lastly, to mourne dayly, heavily, vncessantly, till the
Lord looke down from Heaven, & bring all his precious
living stones into one New Jerusalem.
To your third, viz. Are you not grieved that you haue
grieved so many?
I say with Paul, I vehemently sorrow for the sorrow of
any of Zions daughters, who should euer reioice in her
King &c., yet I must (& O that I had not cause) grieue,
because so many of Zions daughters see not & grieue not
236 THE TVINTHROP PAPERS. [163-.
B«^- 6- for their soiiles defilements, & that so few beare John com-
panie in weeping after the vnfoulding of the seales, which
only weepers are acquainted with.
You therevpon propound a 4th, Doe you thinck the
Lord hath vtterly forsaken vs?
I answere Jehovah will not forsake His people for His
great names sake 1. Sam. 12.* That is, the fijre of His loue
towards those whome once he loucs is a^ternall, like him-
selfe : & thus farr be it from me to question His a^ternall
loue towards you &c. Yet if you graunt that euer you
were as Abraham among the Chaldees, Lot among the
Sodomites, the Kenites among the Amalekitcs, as Israeli
in Egipt or Babell, & that vnder painc of their plauges &
judgments yow were bound to leaue them, depart, flie out,
(not from the places as in the type) but from the filthincs
of their sinns, &c., & if it proue, as I know assuredly it
shall, that though you haue come farr, yet you never came
out of the wildernes to this day : then, I beeseech you,
remember that your selues, & so allso many thoughsands
of Gods people must yet mournfully reade the 74, 79, 80,
& 89 Psalmes, the Lamentations, Daniells 11th, & Revel.
11, 12th, 13th,* & this, Sir, I beseech you doe more seriously
then euer, & abstract your selfe with a holy violence from
the dung heape of this earth, the credit & comfort of it,
& cry to Heaven to remooue the stumbling blocks, such
idoUs, after which sometimes the Lord will giue His owne
Israeli an answere.
Sir, You request me to be free with you, & therefore
blame me not if I answere your request, desiring the like
payment from your owne deare hand, at any time, in any
thing.
And let me add, that amongst all the people of God,
wheresoeuer scattered about Babells bancks, either in
Rome or England &c, your case is the worst by farr, be-
* All these places & abundant more argue God's forsaking His people in respect of the
▼isible kingdome of the Lord Jesus. — [Notk bt Williams.]
163-.] THE WTNTHROP PAPERS. 237
cause while others of Gods Israeli tenderly respect such
as desire to feare the liOrd, your very judgment & con-
science leads you to smite & beate your fellow servants,
expell them your coasts &c., & therefore, though I know
the elect shall never finally be forsaken, yet Sodomes,
Egypts, Amaleks, Babells judgments ought to driue vs
out, to make our calling out of this world to Christ, & our
election sure in him.
Sir, Your 5th is. From what spirit, & to what end doe you
driue?
Concerning my spirit, as I said before, I could declaime
against it, but whether the spirit of Christ Jesus, for whose
visible kingdome & ordinances I witnes, &c, or the spirit of
Antichrist (1 John 4) against whome only I contest, doe
driue me, let the Father of Spirits be pleased to search, &
(worthy Sir) be you allso pleased by the word to search :
& I hope you will find that as you say you doe, I allso
seeke Jesus who was nayled to the gallowes, I aske the
way to lost Zion, I witnes what I belieue I see patiently
(the Lord assisting) in sackcloth, I long for the bright ap-
pearance of the Lord Jesus to consume the man of sinn :
I long for the appearance of the Lambes wife allso, New
Jerusalem: I wish heartily prosperitie to you all, Gouer-
nour & people, in your civill way, & mourne that you see
not your pouertie, nakednes, &c., in spiritualls, & yet I
reioice in the hopes that as the way of the Lord to Apollo,
80 within a few yeares, (tlirough, I feare though, many tri-
bulacions) the way of the Lord Jesus, the first & most
ancient path, shall be more plainely discovered to you
& me.
Lastly, You aske whether my former condicion would
not haue stood with a gracious heart, &c. ?
At this Quaerie, Sir, I wonder much, because you know
what sinnes, yea all manner of sinnes, (the sinn vnto death
excepted) a child of God may lye in, instance I neede
not.
238 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [163-.
2ndly, When it comes to matter of conscience that the
stroke lyes vpon the very judgment, that the thing prac-
ticed is la>vfull, &c. as the polygamic of the Saints, the
building of the Temple (if David had gone on) the many
false ministries & ministracions (like the arke vpon the
new cart) which, from Luthers times to this day, God's chil-
dren haue conscientiously practiced. Who then can won-
der, (& yet indeede who can not but wonder) how a gracious
heart, before the Lords awakening, & calling, & drawing
out, may lie in many abominations?
2 Instances I shall be bold to present you with. First,
doe you not hope Bishop Vsher hath a gracious heart ?
& 2ndly, Doe you not iudge that your owne heart was gra-
cious euen when (with the poysoned shirt on your back)
you, &c. 1
But while another iudgcth the condicion faire, the soule
that feares, doubts, & feeles a guilt hath broken bones &c.
Now, worthy Sir, I must call vp your wisedome, your loue,
your patience, your promise & faythfuUnes, candid inge-
nuitie, &c. My hearts desire is abundant, & exceedes my
pen. My head & actions willing to line (as the Apostle
Paul) icoPajf tv Tram. Whcrc I crr, Christ be pleased to restore
me, where I stand, to stablish. K you please I haue allso
a few Quceries to your selfe, without your leaue I will not :
but will euei: mourne, (the Lord assisting,) that I am no
more (though I hope euer) yours R : Will :
Sir, Concerning natiues : the Pequts & Nayantaquits
resolue to line & die togeather, & not to yeald vp one.
Last night tidings came that the Mauquauogs, (the cani-
balls) haue slaine some of our countrimen at Qunnihticut.
I hope it is not true.
163-.] ^ THE WlNTHROr PAPERS. 239
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
\
New Providknce 2n(lo 7mancp, iustantis.*
Sir, — I haue nothing certaine to acquaint you with at
present : there haue bene reports these 10 dayes, that the
Pequts are entrecl leauge by the hire of 3 or 4 bushells of
beades (black & white,) with the Mauquawogs or Mo-
howawogs which signifies men eaters in their language ;
These caniballs haue bene all the talke these 10 daves, &
the Nanhiggansicks are much troubled at them.
2 dayes since came tidings that these Mauquawogs &
Pequts haue slainc many, both EngUsh & natiues at Qun-
nihticut Plantations. As yet I belceue it not, & hope in
the Lords mercy it is false, yet since you please to make
such good vse of (poyson) bad & lying newes, (which for
that end to awaken people I confesse) I sent the last : I
would not conceale this; I hope to send better in like
manner after this ; yet I sadly feare if the Lord please to
let loose these mad dogs, their practice will render the
Pequts canibals too, & 2ndly (at the least) cut of all
hopes of safe residence at Qunnihticut, & yet they are
an 100 mile to the westward of Qunnihticut Plantations.
I hope it will please the Most High to put his hooke into
their nose &c. as allso to giue wisedome in the managing
of the warr, that if it be possible a leauge may rather be
firmely strooke with them: they are most savage, their
weapons more dangerous & their crueltie dreadfull, rosting
aliue t&c.
Sir, I heare of the danger of the innovation of your
Government. The God of heaven be pleased to giue you
faythfuUnes & courage in his feare : I feare not so much
iron & Steele as the cutting of our throats with golden
* Secundo tfptimana^ &c. (i.e., " the second day of the present week "). — See note on
p. 233. — EDb.
240 THE WINTHROr TAPERS. [163-.
kniues. I meaue that vnder the pleasing baits of execu-
tion of justice to the eastward, & enlargment of autho-
ritie, beyond all question, lies hid the hooke to catch your
vnvaluable liberties. Better an honorable death then a
slaves life.
Sir, I may not forget due thanckes for your intended
requitalls of my poore endeavours toward the barbarous :
if it please the Lord to vse (with any good success) so dull
a toole, satis superque^ &c.
One kindnes (yet according to true justice) let me be
bold to request. I haue not yet got a peny of those 2
vnfaythfuU ones James & Tho. Haukins of Boston, con-
cerning whome my selfe & vnfe haue formerly troubled
you. Mr. Coxall hath long had their bills : agreement of
mitigation hath bene made since by arbitrators but to no
purpose. Their great earnings (if I had not lovingly
released them) were mine owne : my owne debts lye vn-
paid, dayly calld for, Sc I heare for certaine (though they
can flatter & lye) they haue spent lavishly & fared daintily
of my purse, while my selfe would haue bene glad of a
crust of their leavings, though yet I haue not wanted,
through his loue that feedes the ravens &c. John Throck-
morton hath often demaunded but in vaine, he will now
attend your loving helpefullnes, & He who is most holy &
blessed, all mercy & all pitie, helpe you mercifully to steere
(by his holy compasse & allso with his owne most holy
hand) in the ocean of troubles & trialls wherein we saile.
It is no small favour that once againe (though the occa-
sions are sad) we may sale & speake togeather, but the
Harbour (safe & large) will pay for all. Thus praying
for our meeting, with best salutes to Mrs. Wintrop & all
yours, & my tnie respects to Mr. Deputie, Mr. Bellingham,
& other loving friends, I rest
Your worships vnfaigned Roger Williams.
1<)3-.] THE WlNTHIlor rAPERS. 241
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WIXTIIROP.
New Providence this last of the weekc*
Sir, — I am much desired by Yotaash (the bearer here-
of, Miantunnomues brother) to interprete his message to
you, viz : that Miantunnomu requests you to bestow a Pe-
qut squaw upon him.
I object, he had his share seut him, he answeres that
Caunounicus receaved but a few women & keepes them :
& yet he sayth his brother hath more right: for, him-
selfe & his brothers men first laid hold vpon that company.
I obiect that all are disposed of, he answeres, if so, he
desires to buy one or 2 of some English man.
I obiect that here are many runn away, which I haue
desired himself e might convey home to you : he replies,
they haue bene this fortnight busie (that is keeping of a
kind of Christmas): & 2ndly, at i)resent Miantunnomues
father in law lyes a dying : as allso that some of the run-
nawayes perished in the woods ; 3 are at the Nanhighon-
sick, & 3 within 10 mile of this place ; which I thinck
may best be fetcht by 2 or 3 Massachuset Indians who
may here get some one or 2 more to accompany & helpe.
Sir, you were pleased some while since to intimate some
breach of leauge in Miantunnomu. I would not disharten
this man from comming by my speech any way : but I
could wish you would please to intimate your mind fully
to him, as allso tliat if there be any iust exception which
they can not well answere, that vse be made of it, (if it may
be with the safetie of the common peace,) to get the bits
into their mouthes,t especially if there be good assurance
from the Mowhauges. So with my best salutes & earnest
sighes to heaven I rest
Your worships vnworthy IIoger Williams.
• See note on p. 233. — Eus.
t I nicauc the bit ofawfull respect, that uow they iiill not into mutinies uthomc,&c. —
(Note uy WiLLiAsib.]
31
24:2 THE WINTHROr TAPERS. [163-.
IIOGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
For his much honoured Mr, Oovernour of the 3f(i8sachuset8, these*
Much honoured Sir, — I was bould to present you
with 2 letters by Thomas Holyway, some weekes since.
I am occasioned againe at present to write a word by this
bearer Wequash : whome (being a Pequt himselfe) I com-
mended for a guide in the Pequt expedition.
I presume he may say something to youi* selfe, or to such
other of my loving friends as may report vnto your wor-
ship, what befell him at Cowesett.f
He hath bene 5 or 6 dayes now at my howse, in which
time I haue had much opportunitie to search into particu-
lars, & am able to present you with naked truth.
He came from Monahiganick to Coweeset within night
& lodged with his friend called Pananawokshin. At Cow-
weesit an old man (Weeokamin) hath made great lamenta-
tion for the death of 2 sons in the Pequt warrs. This
Weeokamun with divers of his consorts in the night time
layd hold vpon Wequash, intending to bind him, charging
him with the death of his 2 sonns. Much bickring there
was betweene them, but no hurt done, only Weeokamun
strugling with one of Wequash his company was sore
bitten on his hand, & also bit the young mans fingers,
which are well againe. So that their host kept peace in
Caunounicus his name, & brought them safe to me the
next day : yet in the fray the^ lost a coate & other small
things, which (comming forth before day) they left behind
them.
I sent vp a messenger to the Sachims to demaund a rea-
son of such vsage & their goods. Caunounicus sent his
sonn, & Miantunnomu his brother (Yotaash) who went to
• Sue note on ]). 233.
t The territory now forming the eastern ]>urt of Kent GoUDty. K.I., wus culluil Cowc-
sel. — Ed&.
lt>3-.] THE WINTIIROr TAPERS. 243
Cowwceset & dcmauiidcd the reason of such vsage, & the
floods, & so came to my howse, causing the goods to be
restored, professing the Sachims ignorance, & sorrow for
such passages, & giving charge to all natiues for their safe
travell.
Having those messengers & Wequash at my howse, I
caused them soUemnly to parley of what I knew was
grievance betwixt them, & what els I could any way pick
out from either of them, concerning our selues the Eng-
lish, or the Pequts, or themselues. All which I carefully
writt downe the particulars, & shall readily, at your wor-
ships pleasure, acquaint you with them : either concerning
some squaws which Wequash acknowledgeth he parted
with (& iustly) to Caunounicus & Miantunnomu, or other
brablings which I thought not fit to trouble your wor-
ship with, without commission.
Deare sir, (notwithstanding our differences concerning
the worship of God & the ordinances ministred by Anti-
christs power) you haue bene alwayes pleased lovingly to
answer my boldnes in civill things : let me once more find
favour in your eyes to gratifie my selfe, Mr. James, & many
or most of the townesmen combined, in advising what to
say or doe to one vnruly person who openly in townc
meeting more then once, professeth to hope for & long for
a better government then the countrey hath yet, & lets not
to particularize, by a generall Governour, &c. The white*
which such a speech or person levells at can be no other
then the rasing of the fundamentall liberties of the coun-
trey, which ought to be dearer to vs then our right eyes.
But I am all way es too bold in prolixitie, &c., therefore at
present with humble respect remembred & cries to Heaven
for mercy to you & yours, roote & branches, & the whole
countrey by your blessing, I rest
Your Worships most vnworthy Koger Williams.
' Sec note on p. 205. — Ens.
244 THE WINTIIROr PAPERS. [1(>38.
Sir, Mr. James & his, my wife & selfc respectiucly salute
your honoured selfe & Mrs. Wintrop.
Wequash intends to beg of you, & requested me to spe-
cify his desire of a coate, wastcote & shirt &c. which I
could not deny, though your wisedome may doe as seemes
good.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Providence the 22 of 3rd mon.*
Sir, — Blessed be the Father of Spirits, in whose hand
our breath & wayes are, that once more I may be bold to
salute you & congratulate your returne from the brinck of
the i)it of rottennes ! t
What is man that thou shouldest visit him & trie him ?
&c. Job 7th. You arc put of to this tempestuous sea
againe, more stormes await you, the good Lord repaire our
leakes, fresh vp the gales of his blessed Spirit, steadio
our course by the compasse of his owne truth, reskue vs
from all our spirituall adversaries, not only men, but feinds
of warr, & assure vs of an harbour at last, euen the bo-
zome of the Lord Jesus.
Sir, you have many an eye (I presume) lift vp to the
hills of mercy for you: mine might seeme superfluous:
yet privately & publikely you haue not bene forgotten, &
I hope shall not while these eyes haue sight.
Sir, this last night Mr. Allen of Hartford & Lieftenant
Holmes lodgd with me, & relate that Mr. Heynes or some
chief e resolved to be with you this weeke. So that you
may please a litle to stop till their comming. Lieftenant
* May, 1G38. This and the following letter should, in the order of dates, have pre-
ceded that printed on p. 229. — Eds.
t Alluding to the illness of Winthrop, " wlilcli brought him near death." — Sec his
Hist, of N. K., i. 266. — Eds.
1638.] THE WINTIIROr TArERS. 245
Holmes relates that William Baker, who lay hid so long
among the Monahiggens & Pequts, for whome he gave
bale &c. was hid againc the second time among the same
by Okace, but the Lieftenant, by a Providence, heard of
him & returnd him to Hartford, where he hath suffred
for his much vncleanenes 2 severall whippings. This fel-
low, notorious in villany, & strongly aflFected by those
wretches, both studpng revenge, is worthy to be watcht
euen by the whole countrey, & to be dispersed from the
Pequts, Sc they each from other, according as I haue bene
bold to motion formerly.
Sir, we haue bene long aflicted by a young man, boyste-
rous & desperate, Philip Verins sonn of Salem, who, as
he hath refused to lieare the word with vs (which we mo-
lested him not for) this twelue month, so because he could
not draw his wife, a gracious & modest woman, to the
same vngodlines with him, he hath troden her vnder foote
tyranically & brutishly: which she & we long bearing,
though with his furious blows she went in danger of life,
at the last the maior vote of vs discard him from our civill
freedome, or disfranchize, &c : he will haue justice (as he
clamours) at other Courts : I wish he might, for a fowle &
slanderous & brutish cariage, which God hath delivered
him vp \Tito ; he will hale his wife with ropes to Salem,
where she must needes be troubled & troublesome as dif-
ferences yet stand. She is willing to stay & live with him
or else where, where she may not offend &c. I shall
humbly request that this item be accepted, & he no way
countenanced, vntill (if need be) I further trouble you :
So with due respects to Mrs. Winti'op, Mr. Deputie, Mr.
Belingham &c. I rest,
Your worships vnfaigned
"Roger Williams.
246 THE WINTimOP PAPERS. [lO-iS.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WIXTHROP.
Providence, 27 of 3r(l.*
Much honoured Sir, — I liaue presumed to send this
Nahigonsick man, to attend your pleasure concerning the
Pequts, & Caunounicus & Miantunnomues complaint
against them & their protectours.
The summe of their desire I lately acquainted you with,
viz. that you would please (euen all the English) to sit still
& let themselues alone with them according to consent,
when Miantunnomu was last with you, who comming
home, fell vpon Nayantaquit men who sheltred the Pequts,
but was stopt by our friends of Qunnihticut.
Or, 2ndly, that some other course (in consultation) might
be taken for dispersion of them : euen as farr as Old Eng-
land or elswhere, as they speake.
Sir, I doe conceaue either course will be difficult, be-
cause our friends at Qunnihticut are strangely bewitched
with the subiection of these Pequots to themselues, & are
allso as strangely resolued vpon fighting & violent courses,
(as I vnderstand by letters, & otherwise by speech) vnles
Miantunnomu come over personally to them to answer for
proud speeches which they heare of.
Miantunnomu hath long since promised, & still waites
to goe any whither you shall please to make answer, to
meete &c.
Some from Qunnihticut write me word, that Indians
will testifie such speeches to Miantunnomues teeth : & it
may be so whether true or false.
I allso, in case I should listen to Indian reports, shall
bring many who will affirme that Tho : Stanton hath rc-
ceaved mighty bribes (whence origo mali) that Okacc the
♦ May, 1(538. — Eu8.
1G38.] THE WINTHROP rAVERS. 247
»
Monahiggon hath receaved litle less then a thoughsaud
fathom of beades, whence he caries out some present to
our friends at Qunnihticut, but I say I will not be-
lieue it.
But this I know, that according to leaugc in 2 articles,
that the Pequts shall not be sheltred nor disposed of with-
out mutuall consent of the English & the 2 Nahiggonsick
Sachims.
2ndly, that if the Pequts be suflFred in the land to con-
gregate & vnite into 4 or 500 togeather (as Lieftenant
Howe confest to me) it will cost more bloud on all sides
then yet hath bene spilt ; for one the one part, the Nan-
higgonsicks can no more forbeare them then a wolfe his
pray, & on the other side for the Pequts vpon all advan-
tage the English shall find, that Vindicta levis vita incan-
dior ipsa est.
3rdly, that our friends at Qunnihticut are marvAilously
deluded by the Monahiggons, as to be so confident of them,
that Mr. Hooker writes no proofe can be brought against
them for word or deede: when it^is cleare they were Pe-
quts, & lately hid, (once & the second time) hid William
Baker from the English, & that vpon paine of death to any
that should reveale him, as Lieftenant Homes tould me.
Sir, my desire is that it would therefore please the Lord to
guide you all to make a prudent disposall & dispersion of
the Pequts, which the Nanhiggonsick will further by
peace or warr. So with all due salutacions I humbly rest,
vnfaigned in all desire of your present & eternall peace.
Roger Williams.
Mr. Allen tould me that there were numbers of the Pe-
quts at Narrigonset, but I satisfied him that they were at
Nayantaquit, whence (if themselucs had not stopt) they
had long since bene remooved.
24JS THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1638.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
. For his much honoured rfe beloved Mr, Governour of Massnchiiscts.
Providence, 14th of the Cth.*
Sir, — Since my last (vnto which you were pleased to giue
answcre with kind advice concerning the murther of the
natiue) T haue receaued divers letters from Qunnihticiit :
the summ of all is this ; that it hath pleased the Lord to
encline all hearts to peace. Jiianemo was perswaded
to goe over in person & to giue that satisfaction which
was demaundcd : only concerning a mare killd by some
Nayanticks, (others say by Pequts,) but as yet no proofe ;
our friends haue taken his promise to enquire & informe,
& so thev dismist him.
It Imtli pleased the Magistrates at Qunticut to envitc
Miantunnomu over to them to discover some Pequt pas-
sages & miu'therers, which are denied, & to enter vpon
some Articles with themselues : f denying themselues to
be obliged in the Articles of the Bay.
I haue conceavcd that all the English in the land were
wrapt vp in that Agreement (a copie of which you were
pleased Sir, to send me,) : nevertheles I perswade him to
goe over. His desire was (which Agowaun Sachim Mas-
quanominit}' had in charge to expresse to you) that Mr.
Governour would please to spare 4 English from himselfe
as witnesses of passages ; as allso my selfe with Cutsha-
moquene & Masquanominit.
I haue formerly engaged my promise to Miantunnomu :
& resolue to take 2 or 3 English from hence, & hope
(through the Lords mercy) that the iourney may be for
peace.
• Au.^Mst, IC'JP. — i:i>s.
t The visit to Coiiiiccticut, here intciulod, probably resulted in the Covenant at Uart-
lur.i, Sc|»t. 21, l«;if<. — iSct ILL IJUt. CoU.^ iii. 177. — Kds,.
1G38.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 249
Sir, vnles any passe by accident to Qimnihticut (if so
you shall see good) that desire of 3 or 4 English may be
denied, & yet graunted in effect by the going of some
freely with my selfe.
Only sir, be pleased to giue an hint of your plcasiu'e in
any matter considerable, which we shall endeavour to
effect.
The natiues, friends of the slainc had consultacion to
kill an English man in revenge : Miantunnomu heard of it,
& desired that the English would be carefull on the high
wayes, & sent himselfe expresse threatnings to them &c.
& informed them that Mr. Govemour would see justice
done. Ousamequin comming from Plymmouth told me
that the 4 men were all guiltie ; I answered but one ; he
replied true, one wounded him, but all lay in wait 2
dayes, & assisted. In conclusion : he tould me that the
principall must not dye, for he was Mr. Winslowes man :
& allso that the man * was by birth a Neepmuck man ; so
not worthy an other man should die for him : I answered
what I thought fit, but conceaue there will be neede of
wisedome & zeale in some, & remembrance of that Vox
Coffli : He that doth violence to the blood of any person,
let him flee to the pit : let none deliver him. The Lord
mercifully cleanse the land from bloud, & make the bloud
of his sonn Jesus more precious in all our eyes. So
prayes Your Worships most vnworthy
Roger Williams,
To Mrs. Wintrop, Mr. Deputie & his, all yours, best
respects &c.
• That is, the native slain by the Knglishnien. For a full account of this homicide, see
another letter of Williams to Winthrop, in 3 Mass. Hist, Coll., i. 171, 172; Bradfonl, 362-364;
Wuithrop's Hist, of N.E., 1. 267. — Ens.
32
250 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1638.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
For the rujld WorshipfuU (k his much Ivonoured friend Mr, Go-
vernour of the MassachiseitSf these.
At Narigansett the 10th of the 7th,' early.
Much honoured Sir, — These Sachims with mvself
consulting the last Lords day as soon as I here arrived ; I
dispatched a letter to meete our Qunnihticut friends at
Monahiggin : desiring a speedie word from Capt. Mason
(according as he found the busines easie or difficult) to
giue direction for the course of the Narigansetts, either
to Monahiggin or Pequt With all, the Messenger had
charge to deale with Onkas, from vs all. Can. Mian. &c.
to be wise & faythfull to vs in what we should propose to
him.
The messenger returned the last night (& being a dis-
creete man to obserue passages) he related that comming
neere the towne, viz. to wit, Monahiggin, he heard 6 guns,
which pers waded him that English were come, but draw-
ing neerer, he found they were the guns which formerly
the Pequts had got from the English : Entring the court,
he found the house mingled full of Monahiggins & Pequts,
who desired his newes, but he silent ! They told him that
they heard that the English were comming against them,
& they had sent vp 2 chiefe men who fovnd the English
trayning. They were examined of 2 things viz : why they
had lately let goe 2 of the murtherers at Nayantaquit,
whom they had bound, & why they had seazed vpon all
the corne at Pequt, belonging to hiether Nayantaquit Pe-
quts : so they were ymprisoned & bound : word whereof
comming to Onkace, 40 men were sent vp with their bead
girdles to redeeme them. The messenger got Onkase pri-
• September, 1688. — Ens.
1638.] THE WINTHEOP PAPERS. 251
vate, who would not be drawne to yeald vp any of his
Pequts, but alleadging that he had bought them with
his money of the English (as the Nayantaquit Sachims
said, for which purpose T am bold to inclose Mr. lleynes
his answere) he said they found the English so false, that
the last night in a generall meeting they were resolued to
fight it out, & for himselfe although the English bound him
& killd him he would not yeald. He related that Mr.
Heynes had given him a letter of securitie to lye by him,
in case that any English should iniure him, but in this
pursuing his Pequts & binding his men, he had throwen
away his letter, &c. Sir, your wisedome (I know) catch-
cth at my request before I make it, viz : that in case I am
directed from our friends of Qunnihticut to send for aide,
you would please to cause a readines at litle warning. I
coidd make true relacion of the brags of the chiefe of
these wretches, viz. that the Massachusett English did but
gleane after the Qunnihticut men, &c. in the wars : but I
am confident you desire their good, with the safe tie of your
ownc state : therefore I rest with a description briefe of
the Pequt townes, now againe vnder Okace & the Nayan-
taquit Sachims established: At Pequt Nayantaquit are
vpward of 20 howses, vp the river at Mangunckakuck 8,
vp still at Sauquonckackock 10, vp still at Paupattokshick
15, vp still at Tatuppequauog 20, 3 or [] mile further with
Onkace at his towne Monahiggin, a great number muigled,
which are all vnder Onkas, beside those at Qunnipiuck, &
others of Long Hand, & Sasacous his confederates. At
Nayantaquit the hither, vpwards of 20 howses, all vnder
the Nayantaquit Sachims, except 6 or 7 men vnto whome
your worship was pleased to giue life, vpon Miantunno-
mues motion, by my letter, vpon their submission. These
are still Miantunnomu's subiects, yet refusing to line with
him at Narigansctt, he disclaimes them, in case according
to promise, they assist not in this busines. The most High
graciously sanctifie all his holy pleasure to vs, prosper these
252 THE WlNTHllOP TAPERS. [1638.
our present enterprises to his prayse, but especially against
those enemies (1. Pet. 2. 11.-) lusts which fight against our
soules : in him I desire to be
Your worships more & to eternitie
Roger Williams.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Much honoured Sir, — Some while since I wrote to
you a short narration* of the issue of my voyage to Qun-
nihticut & Plymmouth. I desire only to know whether it
came to hand. I haue bene carefully searching into that
rumour of the Plymmouth man slaine 4 yeares since. The
persons to whome I was directed by our Plymouth friends
for informacion are yet absent on hunting : & Miantun-
nomu is but new returned from Qunticut, yet with what
instruction I haue already gotten I am this morning taking
a journey to the Sachims about it.
I heare of 3 Cowweset men in hold about Mr. Hathornes
cow. The Sachims affirme they can not discover the
partie. These 3 were 3 of six then there hunting, yet they
say 2 things ; 1st, that many Northerne & Saugust Indians
hunt there ; allso & 2ndly, it may be that some adverse
person might out of subtle envy shoot the beast, to render
them odious to the English, & to cause their deserting of
the place, which they would haue done but that the Eng-
lish were very desirous (especially Mr. Endicot) that they
should kill & sell venison, &c.
For my selfe I shall faythfully enquire & disclose : al-
though divers vnderstanding persons of Salem haue affirmed
that the cow dying about 3 monthes after, when so many
• The communication here referred to may be seen in 3 Muss. Hist. Coll., i. 173, of
date about September, 1638. — Eds.
1(538.] THE WINTUHOP TAPERS. 253
head of cattle dyed, it is very questionable whetlier the
arrow occasioned the death, &c.
Sir, this is the occasion of this enclosed : I vndcrstand
that a servant of yours, Joshua is some trouble to
your selfe, as allso to others, & consequently can not (if he
desire to feare the Lord) but himselfe be troubled Sc
grieued in his condicion, though otherwise I know not
where vnder Heauen he could be better.
If it may seem good in your eyes (wanting a servant) I
shall desire him (not simply from you) but for your peace
& his. I shall desire your best & full satisfaction in pay-
ment, & what summe you pitch on, to accept it either
from this bill, or if you better like from that debt of Mr.
Ludlow, for which he promised your worship to pay me
800 waight of tobacco but did not, & I presume your wor-
ship may with ease procure it ; but I subscribe ex animo
to your choice, & with respectiue salutacions & continued
sighes to Heauen for you & yours, rest desirous to [be]
Your Worships vnfained though vnworthy
Roger Williams.
Sir, I am loath, but I presume once more to trouble you
with that deceitfuU man James Ilawkiiigs, craning that
you woidd please to lend an hand that by your selfe or the
Court at Boston I may find mercy against such iiiius-
tice.
Sir, my wife (togeather with her best respects) to Mrs.
Wintrop, requests her acceptance of an handfull of ches-
nuts, intending her (if Mrs. Wintrop loue tliem) a bigger
basket of them at the retume of Gigles.
254 THE WINTHROP rAPERS. [1638.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
m
Foi* the right WorshipfuU & his much honoured friend Mr. Go-
uernour of the Massachusetts, these.
Sir, — Vpon the receipt of your last (answering my
quteries) I haue acquainted the Sachims with the busiues :
I am not yet furnished with answere sufficient : what I
haue at present I shall humbly & fajthfully submit to con-
sideracion : 1 from tliem, 2 from my selfe.
From them : vpon sollemne consultation with them
about the 100/i demaunded of themselues, they say —
First, that they remember not that either in the first
Agreement & League (in the beginning of the Pequt
warrs) or since, in any expression, that euer they vnder-
tooke to answer in their owne persons or purses what their
subiects should faile in.
2. Nor doe they belieue that the English Magistrates doe
so practice, & therefore they hope that what is righteous
amongst ourselues we will accept of from them.
3. Therefore they professe that what euill soeuer shall
appeare to be done by any (subiect to them) against the
bodies or goods of the English, satisfaction shall readily
be made out of the bodies or goods of the delinquents.
For the lOOli demaunded, they say concerning the Sa-
lem cow * they haue to this day enquired, & can discouer no
guilt either in the persons ymprisoned or the rest, but
doe belieue that it was falsly laid vpon them by such
northern natiues whose traps they were, who themselues
were guiltie.
For the horses, they haue sent for Wuttattauquegin
who hath not bene with them these 3 yeares, but keepes at
Massachusett : they intend allso to call a generall meeting
* Mr. Hatliorno'8 cow.— Soo the precediDg letter.— £db.
1638.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 255
of the Countrey at his comming, within few dayes, when
1 shall haue further answerc from them.
Sir, a word more from my selfe : I haue long since
beleeued that as it is with- the Most High (Prov. 21. 3.)
so with your selues. To doe judgment & justice is more
acceptable then sacrifice. And therefore that it shall not
be vngratefuU in your eyes, that I humbly request leaue
to say that I see the busines is ravelld, & needes a
patient & gentle hand to rectifie misvnderstanding of
each other & misprisions. The Sachims to prevent the
feares of their men in hunting or travelling &c, ear-
nestly desired me to satisfie the English that if the bearers
of a writing from me should offend any wayes, that they,
the Sachims, would upon informacion from my selfe, cause
the delinquents to make satisfaction out of their goods or
bodies ; to the end that the English might not ymprison
or transport away their persons, (which the natiues suspect)
2 of their men hauing bene not long since caried away
in an English ship from the Bay, & 2 of their women
the last summer from Qunnunagut* in this bay.
In 2 particulars (as I conceaue) neither the natiues
nor my selfe were rightly vnderstowd. First, in the scope
of the writing, which was not to aske leaue to hunt as
before. 2ndly, in the promise, which was not to pay of
themselues (I mean the Sachims) but to cause their men
to deale iustly & to giue satisfaction for offences committed
out of their goods or bodies.
I hope it will please the Lord to perswade your hearts
to belieue what I affii-me, & againe to review the writ-
ing. Howeuer, rather then any labour or paines of mine
(well meant to preserue peace) shall cause or occasion
dissention, I resolue to be yet poorer, & out of my po-
uertie to endeauour & further satisfaction. (The earth
is the Lords & the fullnes of it.) To the Euerlasting
• Connnieat. — Eds.
256 THE WINTIIROP PAPERS. [1638.
Armes of his mercy I dayly recommend you & yours, &
rest Your Worships most vn worthy
Roger Williams.
My respectiue salutes to Mr. Deputie, Mr. Beling-
ham, &c.
Sir, I hauc heretofore bene bold to request your helpe
in recouering an old debt from Mr. George Ludlow : &
you were pleased after dealing with him, to signifie that
he had promised to deliuer ashoare for me 8OO/65. waight
of tobacco : I shall now humbly request that if Mr.
Stratton desire it, or if he be againe bound for Virginia,
that you would please to testific so much as you remem-
ber in a line or 2, which may be of great vse for my
recouering of the debt, & I shall desire to be thanck-
fuU.
Providence.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTIIROP.
For hiA much honoured & beloved Mr. John Wintrop at his hoiVRe
at Boston.
Providence 10th 30.*
Sir, — Hoping of your health this dead season, with re-
spective salutacions : I am bold to request a little helpe, &
I hope the last, concerning mine old & bad debtour about
whome I haue formerly troubled your worship, Mr. George
Ludlow.
I heare of a pinnace to put in to Newport, bound for
Virginia, & I vnderstand that if you please to testifie what
you remember in the case, I may haue some hope at last
to get something.
You were pleased after dealing with him at Boston to
• Decembor, 1638. — Eds.
1C39.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 257
certifie me that he had promised to discharge vnto me
800/* of tobacco, which you afterwards thought to haue
bene discharged : but he fayling, although my due came
to inuch more, I request if you can remember in a line or
2 to testifie : & I shall desire to blesse the Lord for you, &
to beg of him a mercifuU requitall into your bozome, euen
from his holy left & right hand especially : my writings
are (from hand to hand about the busines) lost ; so that all
my euidence will be from your hand, of his acknowledg-
ment & i)romise. Sir, I rest vncessantly mourning that I
am no more Your worships vnfaigned
Roger Williams.
Sir, I may not omit my thanckfuU acknowledgment of
that councell of peace you were pleased to giue to a
young man who (when I was at Block Hand) repaired to
your worship for advice in some jar betweene him & his
neighbours : your councell was prosperous, & I desire you
may haue the joy of it. For so sayth the Lord, to the coun-
cellours of peace is joy.
Sir, I purpose within 20 dayes (if God will) to travell
vp to Monhiggin : at my returne I shall trouble you with
u line from Onkas, if I can speake with him about your
Pequts.
Sir, I pray let your servant direct the natiue with this
letter to Mr. Uavid Yale, Mrs. Eaton's sonn.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
For his much liouourHd & btloued Mr. Governour of the Massa-
chusets, these.
Sir, — In my last I gaue intimacion of another answere,
which from the Sachims is this.
First, that although they remember not any agreements
'S3
258 THE WINTHUOP TAPERS. [1630.
that hauc passed about the natiues yealdiug vp their hunt-
ing places, advantages, &c. with in prscscribed limits &c.,
yet, because satisfactorio agreements may haue bene vn-
knowne to them, betweene yourselues & the natiues about
you, they haue sent for this man, Wuttattaaguegin, (wlio
keepes most at Massachuset with Cutshamoquene,* & hath
not bene this 3 yeares with them.)
This man Wuttattaaguegin hath promised to satisiie in
wampam, beauer & venison what it comes to.
But he belieues not the dammage can be so great, for
thus he relates : hauing laid his traps, intending dayly to
tend them, Cutshamoquin sent for him to be a guide to
him in a hunting match about tlie Bay, where other natiues
were ignorant. He went, yet sent a youth to view his
ti'aps, who saith that he saw the English men loose 8.
horses out of the traps, & rode away vpon 2 of them, the
third only w^as lamed.
Vpon this he desired libertie to returne to the Bay, to
enquire more perfectly the dammage : & beings not come
back as yet, they haue this present sent againe for
him.
Yet because they see not that Wuttattaaguegin broke
any knowne couenant in laying his traps in that place,
nor willingly wrought evill against the English, they con-
ceaue it would be very faire & honourable in all natiues
eyes, that it w^ould please the English to make knowne as
well their moderation as their justice in the case.
And for themselues they resolue if this man should not
be faythfuU or able to satisfie your demaunds, they pro-
mise (vpon perswasions & some oflfers of mine to them)
to contribute themselues out of their owne, & to draw in
helpe, that may in wampam, beauer, & venison make vp
the whole summe before the next hunting be oner.
So craning humbly your loving acceptation of my poore
* Sugainorc of Ma»suchubOttH. — Eds.
10:J9.] THE WINTHROP TAPERS. 259
service herein, or whateuer els you shall please to vse me
in, I rest Your Worships most vnworthy
ll()(iER Williams.
Providknx'K 2(1 ;J.'
^[y dnr respect to my honoured fri(*n(ls ^Ir. Deputie &
tlie rest of th(^ (youncell.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
iFor] Ins much honoured & beloved Mr, John Wintrop, Governour
of the Massachu^els, these.
Sir, — I a[ra reqjuested by Caunounicus & Miantunnomu
to j)resent you with their loue & respect (which they allso
desire may be remembred to all the English Sachims) as
allso with this expression of the continuance of their loue
vnto you, viz. 30 fathom of Beades (10 from Caunounicus,
& 20 from Miantunnomu f) & the basket a present from
Miantunnomu s wife to your deare companion Mrs. Win-
trop : 3 things they request me to desire of you.
First, the continuance of your ancient & constant
friendship toward them, & good opinion of their sincere
affection to the English.
I obiected against this that I lately heard that 2 boates
of English were cut of by Pequts & that Miantunnomu
knew of the act, &c.
To this they answered that they haue not so much as
heard of any miscarriage of the English this way of late,
& that 2 dayes since a Nariganset man came from Long
Iland & brought no such tidings.
That they haue alwayes (& shall still) succoured the
English in any such distresses : & that if but a single Eng-
• May, 1639. — Eds.
t Sco Winthrop'? Hist, of N.E., i. 2J»5. — Ens.
260 THE WINTHROr TArERS. [163l».
lish man, woman, or childe be found in the woods bv anv
of theirs, they should punish severely that man that should
not safely conduct them & succour them, &c.
2ndly, That you would please to ratifie that promise
made to them after the warrs, viz. the free vse of the Pequt
countrey for their hunting, &c.
3rdly, That since there are many Pequt Sachims & Cap-
taines surviving, many of whome haue bene actuall mur-
therers of the English, & (3 of them) which haue slainc
some of their Sachims:
And that since the Agreement the last yeare at Qunnih-
ticut with Mr. Heynes & the Magistrates, you haue not
yet pleased to come to action :
And that the Pequts being many hundreths of them may
with these their Sachim[s tom ] doe more mischiefe to vs
and them :
They therefore request that you would please to ^vrite
by them at present to Mr. Heynes that so vpon your jojTit
Agreement they may themselues freely pursue those Pequt
Princes & Captaines whom Mr. Heynes (who had the list
of them from me the last yeare) shall name vnto them.
I obiected the report of great numbers of Pequts among
themselues, &c.
They answere as formerly, that to cleare themselues
from that, & to make it appeare how both the Monahig-
gins & the Nayantaquit men haue receaved the Pequts &
their presents (when they refused them) & so haue made
presents to the English with the Pequt beades, which
themselues neuer did nor could : they will now fall vpon
this service, & if the Monahiggins & Nayantaquit men
will not ioyne with them in it, they will themselues pursue
the persons that shall be named to them wheresoeuer they
find them, although at Monahiggannick or Nayantaquit,
without touching a Monahigganie or Nayantick man
further then you shall please to advise them.
More they say, but I should be taedious, & therefore with
1639.] THE WINTHROr PAPERS. 261
all due respect to your loving selfe, Mrs. Wintrop, Mr.
Deputie, &c. I rest
Your worships faythfull & vnfayned
Roger Williams.
Caunounicus begs of you a litlc sugar.
Providence this 0th of the Srd.*
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Much honoured Sir, — You were pleased some while
since to refer me to Mr. Heynes for a lyst of such Pequt
as were authors & chiefe actors in the late murthers
vpon the English.
Accordingly I haue sent vp once & againe to Mr.
IIe}Ties & we are come to a period : the child is come
to the birth: a little strength from your loving hand
(the Lord so pleasing, & blessing) will bring it forth.
This lyst here inclosed (which I request may be re-
turned) was drawne by my best enquirie & Tho : Stan-
tons in the presence of the Magistrates at Qunnihticut
the last yeare.
This list he was pleased to send me with the addition
of 7 more vnder his owne hand.
Some quieries I made vpon some of the 7 : as allso
[ufrn ] Sasacous his brother Puppompogs (now vpon Long
Hand) whome Mr. Heynes desired might be spared, & I
applauded the desire in many respects, only I desired
for many other respects that he might be sent to some
other part of the world.
Allso since that the Nayantaquit Sachims who harbour
• May, 1039. — Ki»8.
262 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [UMiiK
many of these, & Okacc, Caimounicus & Miantunnomu
requested that a i)miiace might lye some few dayes at
Pequt, to promote & coiintenaiico the worrk while jVIiau-
tunnomu pursued tliem.
Vnto all which Mr. Heyiies in this last is pleased to
answer, so that we are come to a period. This weeke I
went vp to the Nanhiggonsick about other busines : there
1 found a barr, which I thought good to request your
Worship to remooue by a word or 2.
Your captiue (which was Maumanadtucks wife) now at
Pequt, presuming vpon your experimented kindnes toward
her, informes all Pequts & Nayantaquits that Mr. Gover-
nours mind is, that no Pequt man should die, that her
2 sons shall ere long be Sachims there &c. Your wise-
dome (now by a fresh line or 2) declaring that none but
these (who by the best of intelligence appeare to be
deeply guiltie,) shall die, may facilitate the execution, to
the honour of your mercy & justice, & the clearing of
the land from bloud, either that of our countiimen all-
ready spilt, or that may be hazarded by these wretches.
I might but will not trouble your worship wdth some
presumptions that way: the Lord be pleased to further
& blesse : & helpe your precious soule & mine to remem-
ber that vengeance, & to long & expect for it vpon the
enemies of Jesus, when blood shall flow out of the wmc
press to the horse-bridles by the space of 1600 furlongs.
Your worships vnfayned hietherto
Roger Williams.
IVrine humble & true respects to Mrs. Wintrop, Mr.
J)udley, Mr. IJelingham &c.
The messenger is ignorant of the matter, & is satis-
fied.
Indorsed by Gov. Wintlirop, '' Mr. Williams jil>out the lVqiio<ls to bi»
killed, (r.) H]{i\)r
IGIO.] THE WlNTHUOr TAPEUS. 2G3
KOGEU WILLUMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Prouidence. 21. 5.*
Much honoured Sir, — Your runnawayes (as I before
surmised) are at Mouhiggin, & the Squa Sachims daughter
is married to the Sachim Onkas. I know the match hath
bene long desired (although the Sachim hath 5 or (5 wiues
allready) which makes me feare that all Indian meancs
will not reach your iust desires. May you please to rest a
litle, for Miantunnomu (as he pretends out of louc &
respect to your person) is very diligent about a peaceable
returne of them, that he may bring them with him, & as
many more of the runnawayes as he can gett. Onkas was
gone to Qunnihticut, so that a litle patience is requisite.
Sir, this you may please to signifie to your much ho-
noured brother, Mr. Gouemour,f that this busines only
hinders Miantunnomues comming. He is (not satisfied
but) perswaded to trust to interpreters whom he feares to
trust, & to come without my selfe.
As allso may you please to vnderstand that the Xayan-
taquite Sachims still refusing to yeald vp any of those
Pcquts to death to whome they had promised life ; our
friends of (iunticut (as I haue heard by 2 letters from
Tho : Stanton) intend present revenge vpon them. Caunou-
nicus & Miantunnomu still perswade (to mine owne
knowledge) the Sachims at last to be wise, & yeald vp their
Pequts, but in vaine, for the Nayantaquit Sachims resolue
that for so many Hues as are taken away by the English,
or the Monhiggins & Pequts with them, they will take
revAige vpon Mr. Throckmorton at rrudence, or Mr.
Coddington &c., or Prouidence, or elsewhere.
• Julv, 1040. — Ei)H.
t Du^Ucy, who wus brotlier to Wintlirop by tlic murringe of their cliihlren, was
Governor in 1640; nnU did not hold the ollico Bgiiin till after tho death uf MiuutODOtno, who
it> mentioned iu thin letter. — Ei>t>.
264 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
I haue dealt with Caunounicus & Miantunnomu to de-
sert the Nayantaquits in this busines. They answer they
would if they had shedd the bloud of the English, but
as they are their brethren, so they neuer hurt the Eng-
lish, but ioyned with them against the Pequts &c. only
they haue bene greedie vpon the prey against the English
mind : & lastly they say the English partialitie to all the
Pequts at Monhiggin is so great, & the consequences so
grieuous vpon the abuse of the English loue, that all
their arguments returne back (which they vse to the
Nayantaquit Sachims) as arrowcs from a stone wall.
Tho: Stanton informes me of another cause of warr
vpon the Nayantaquits, viz : Wequash* affirm es that one of
the petie Sachims of Nayantaquit was aboord Mr. Oldams
pinnace, & that some goods & gold are at Nayantaquit.
Gold I neuer heard of, but the pinnace, skiff* & other lug-
gcage & small particulars I had word of at first, which were
(by reason of distance) let alone : & in case that any one
of the Sachims or more knew of Mr. Oldams death, & that
due evidence be found, I yet doubt (now since the com-
ming of the Lord Jesus & the period of the National I
Church,) whether any other vse of warr & arms be lawfull
to the professours of the Lord Jesus, but in execution of
justice vpon malefactors at home : or preseruing of life
& lines in defenciue warr as was vpon the Pequts &c.
Isay. 2. Mic. 4.
If the sword rage in Old or New E : I know who giues
out the commission, & can arme frogs, flies, lice, &c. He
be pleased to giue vs peace which earth neither giues nor
takes. In him I euer desire to be more vnfaigned &
faythfuU Your Worships
Roger Williams.
• Thi? is tho Inst time tlie name of this native occurs in these letters of Williams. He
died in tlie summer of 1642. Williauis pays a kind tribute to him in his " Key," publisheil
tJic next year In noticing his death, Winthrop, ii. 74, calls him " Wequash Cot>k."
Another Intlian, frequently mentioned in Williams's letters in this volume and elsewhere,
wafr named *' Wcquubhcuck." He lived uiuuy yeiurs after the death of Wc<iuabh. — Kds.
1640.] THE WINTHROr PArERS. 265
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Prouidence 7. 6. (so called) 40.
Sir, — About (from Portsmouth) I rcceaued yours. As
I lately advertizd to Mr. Gouemour,* the hurries of the
natiues thoughts & consultations so continue, about the 3
Nayantaquits, prisoners with our friends at Qunniticut ;
that your runnawayes are longer secure in their escape
then otherwise they should be.
The Monhiggin Sachem, Onkas, refuseth to part with
his prey: And whereas Miantunnomu was going vp to
Monhiggin himselfe with a sufficient company for the
runnawayes, Onkas sent word that it was your worships
plot to bring him into the snare at Monhiggin, that there
the Qunnihticut English might fall vpon him.
Miantunnomu still promiseth me to come ouer to you,
& his purpose (to his vtmost) to bring them with him.
My occasions lead me within these 4 or 5 dayes to Qunni-
piug, when (the Lord so permitting) I puri)ose to goe vp
to Monhiggin & try the vtmost my selfe. The yssue of
all is in that Euerlasting Hand, in which is our breath &
our wayes, in whome I desire to b[e] still
Your Worships [\Ti]faigned Roger Williams.
I thanck your worship for the Scotch intelligence : The
issue (I feare) will be gencrall & grieuous persecution of
all Saincts.
Mine & my poore wines best salutes to Mrs. Winthorp
& all yours.
Indorwil by Governor Winthrop, *' Mr. AVillimns, (6) 10 — 40."
* Dudley. — Eds.
34
2()() THE WINTHROP TAPERS. [1645.
ROGEK WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTIIHOP.*
PROUIDEN'CE 25 of 4th, 1G45, (so calld.)
Much honoured Sir, — Though I should feare that
all the sparkcs of former louc are now extinct, &c, yet I
am confident that your large talents of wisedome & expe-
rience of the affaires of men will not lightly condcinnc
my endeavour to giue information & satisfaction, as now
I haue done in this poore apologie, with all due respectes
presented to your honour, & the hands of my worthy
friends with you.
Sir, for tidings concerning the publike, 3 dayes since I
receaued a letter from the Dutch Gouernour reporting
some new hopes of peace. For our sclues, the fiame of
warr rageth next dore vnto vs. The Narrigansets & Mon-
higgins, with their respectiuc confederates, haue decpely
implunged themselues in barbarous slaughters. For my
selfe, I haue (to my vtmost) diswadcd our neighbours, high
& low, from armes &c. but there is a spirit of desperacion
fallen vpon them, resolued to revenge the death of their
prince, f & recover their ransome for his life, &c. or to
perish with him. Sir, I was requested by both parties,
your seines & the Narragansets, to keep the subscribed
icauge betweene your selues & them, & yours & their pos-
terities. Sir, that, & the common bonds of humanitie moue
me to pray your selues & our friends of Qunnihtiqut to
improue all interests & opportunities to quench these
flames. My humble requests are to the God of Peace
that no English bloud be further spilt in America : tis
one way to prevent it by loving mediation or prudent
newtralitie. Sir, (excepting the matters of my soule & con-
science to God, the Father of Spirits) you haue not a truer
• Tliis is the Inat letter of Willinms, in tliis collection, nddrossed to Gov. Winthrop of
Miiitsnclmsetts ; and the only one preserved written since the return of Williams from Eng-
land in September of the lust year, wliither ho had Rone in the summer of 1C43. The fruits
of this visit were the Charter of Rln)de Island, of date 14th March. 1G43-4. — Eds.
1 Miuutonomu, who waj> killud by Uucub about beptcuibcr, 1043. — Ld£>.
ICA\K] THE WINTHROr TAPERS. 267
friend & servant to your worthy person & yours, nor to
the peace & wellfare of the whole countrey, then the most
despised & most vnworthy Roger Williams.
ROGKU WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHUOP, JR.
For my hono^ird kind fr\icnd^ Mr, pTo : JVinthrop at PequL
Nar. 15. 2. 40 (so calld.)
Sir, — Best respects & loue to you both. By this bearer
(Nath. Waller) I received your booke, & had by the same
returned it, but that I desire to reade it ouer once more,
finding it pleasant & profitable, & craue the sight of any
other of that subiect at your leasure, kindly thancking
you for this inclosed. As yet no tidings further from
England. Here the Dutch Govemour threatnes some
trouble about the Dutch prize which Capt. Clarke, Bo-
ned : & others bought, which he desires to be restored, as
being no prize, as taken contrar}' to the peace with Spaine
If not restored he threatnes to take all vessells from hence,
to which end it may be it is, that Jacob Curlow (whome
the Indians call Yaupuck) hath lately bought of some of
the Narriganset Sachims the litle Hand in the • mouth
of this Bay (called Aquedenesick & Dutch Hand), intend-
ing to build & trade there, contrary to an order of this
Colonic against foreiners, as allso against the agreement
bctweene the Commissioners & the SacMms, not to sell
any land without their consent. We are borne to trouble
as the sparkes fly vpward. Aboue the sun is our rest, in
the Alpha & Omega of all blessednes, \Tito whose armes
of euerlasting mercy I commend you, desirous to be yours
cuen in him. 11 : W :
My loving respect to your loving sister. I hope it will
please God to send you a mill.
On the outside, in Williams's hand, " This letter I pray send againc,
it is but now come to my hand.''
268 THE TVINTimOP PAPERS. [1649.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
For the Worshipfull his very loving friend Mr, John Winthrop at
Boston, or elswhere*
Sir, — Best salutes &c. I long to heare of your refresh-
ing after so much sighing &c. Our neighbour Sachims
(having sent 2 natiues this morning to my house instead of
Causasenamont, to attend your comming,) are importunate
with me to write to you, & to pray you (if this messenger
Sasepunnuit meete you on the way) to write a word to the
Bay, concerning the late busines of Onkas pretended death
at Monliiggin. For preface, this Mr. Smiths pinnace (that
rode here at your being with vs) went forth the same
mommg to Newport, bound for Block Hand, & Long Hand,
& Nayantaquit for come : with them went a Narriganset
man, Cuttaquene, an vsuall trader for Mr. Smith : tlie
wind being (after 3 or 4 dayes stay at Newport,) northeast
& strong, they put in to your riuer & so to Monhiggins.
Onkas came aboord, on a sudden groaned 8f cried out that
the Narriganset had kild him : the Nariganset man denied
ity Sf Onkas shelved a wound on his breast which bled fresh^
§'c.f Many circumstances passed. In fine Onkas caused
the mans 2 forefingers to be cut of & sent to Capt Ma-
son, who being come, caused the man to be vnbound, &
took him along with himselfe to Hartford. Our neighbour
Sachims now pray you & the Magistrates of the Bay, &
of the whole countrey, that the matter may be throughly
searched out with all diligence, for 2 causes. First, for
the clearing of themselues, who all professe most sollemnly
to be altogeather innocent, &c. & they say it had bene
* This letter has no date; but the complaint of Uncas against the Narragansctt man^
here related, was considered by the Comraissionen of the Unitad Colonies, at their session
at Boston, in July, 1649. — 8te Hazard^ ii. 130. — Eds.
t This paragraph is somewhat obscured by an attempted erasure, apparently by another
hand. — Eds.
1649.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 269
childish, now they are so neere finishing their payment, to
haue prievented the English iusticc against Onkas, which
they are in great hopes of when matters shall be heard
&c. They heare that Cuttaquene, the man in hold, being
threatned death by a hatchett ouer his head, to confesse
his complotters, authours &c, he named (as they say)
themselues to saue his owne life. The second cause, that
Onkas might be discouered, for they suppose he (knowing
how neere he is to a triall (after the payment finished) ac-
cording to the English Sachims promise,) proiected this
villanie &c. to render the Narigansetts still odious to the
English, & preevent his triall. I was bould to write your
dearest for a word of English informacion ; which I thinck
will come by the English (who went to see your parts.)
By natiues I heare that your James went to Onkas Sf
charged him with projecting himselfe 8f acting himselfe a
small stab on his breast in a safe place 8fc. Many circum-
stances look earnestly toward a plot of Onkas, both at this
time, 8f in the mminer^ of the fact of which you will heare
more. He that is the Father of Lights, & ludge of the
whole world will shortly bring all secret things to light.
At present 2 things make me (if all things else were
cleare) to suspend beliefe to Onkas words : First, that the
going forth of Cuttaquene in Mr. Smith's vessell was on
an instant, & accidentall, & neuer intended (that I can yet
heare of) for Monhiggin; howeuer, if the English had
thoughts of it (which will be knowne vpon their landing)
yet they neuer mencioned it to the natiue, who, [it] is like,
would never haue consented, for this second consideracion.
This man Cuttaquene (without a miracle) could not at-
tempt this thing, for I know him, & all men know him, to
be of a gentle & peaceable spirit, & was neuer forth with
them in their wars ; & no way like to stop such a man at
noone day, in the midst of his owne, &c. Sir, I am sorry
5
* The words in Italics aro imperfectly erased. — Eds.
270 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1649.
I haue no horse, nor boate fit to serue you at this time.
My canow with a wind faire would quickly set you here
with ease : I haue writ to my wife that it may attend you :
& I humbly beg of tlie God of heaven that his holy
Angells may attend you in all his wayes, in whome I
desire to be your worships respectiue & affectionate
Roger Williams.
Sir, if this meete you at Providence, I pray impart it to
my brother & friends to whome I can not now write.
This 6t of the weeke.
Sir, If this come to you in the Bay, I pray present my
due respects to the Deputie Governour,* & other worthy
friends as you sec fitting, &c.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO ELIZABETH WINTHROP.
Narigansett.
Mrs. Win^throp, — Loving respects to your kind selfc
& deare sister. I am importuned by our neighbour Sa-
chims to write to your deare husband in the Bay, that
whereas they heare that Onkas is hurt by a Naragansct
man, that went in Richard Smith's pinnace, they pray him
to be assured that what euer is done, more or less, they
are ignorant of it, & will vse no other means against him
then the English justice in a legall way. They pray me
allso to write to you, that by your selfe or some of our
louing friends with you, this messenger may bring word [of]
the truth of matters among them : I beleeue nothing of
any of the barbarians on either side, but what I haue eye
sight for, or English testimonie. I am the more willing
to write, because I might hereby heare of your health, &
♦ This letter may have been written after the death of Gov. Winthrop of VassachusctU,
which occurred 2G March, l«i40, and l>efore the election of his successor. — Kd8.
1641).] THE WI^JTlIRor PAPERS. 271
of your children & iieighbom-s, to whomc I wish irtcrnall
peace ill the Son of God, in whome I desire to be
Your loving friend Roger AVilliams.
I pray cause a line to be sent back by this bearer, what
the matter is.
IIOGEK WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTIIROP, JR.
To the jy6rsJuj)/ull his kind friend Mr. Jo: Winihroi), Esq. at
Pequt.
Nar. 26. 6. 49 (80 called)
Sir, — Best respects to you both, with hearty desires of
your peace & ours, if the God of Peace so mercifully
l)lease. Vpon this late hubbub, (of an assault vpoii the
Pequts by the Monliiggins, & one of those Monhiggins
pursued & slaiiie by the Pequts) the Sachims have sent to
me for my thoughts, their men being impatient of making
an assault allso vpon the Monhiggins. I tell them the
English will not regard their complaints vntill the debt is
paid. But that (at this time) will not stop them : I tell
them the IVIonhiggins liaue now kild but an old woman
(if dead): they haue kild a Captaine, that makes them
consider. Further, whereas they desire I would write to
the Bay, I answer, it is better first that I write to you
to pray you to send to Hartford, to know whether the
Magistrates & English haue set on Onkas, & what their
resolution is, then upon receit of their mind shall your-
sclfe & I know better what to write to the Bay for them.
With this I haue satisfied them, & conceaue it very requi-
site that (if you haue not already) you would please to
request a word from our honoured friends of llaitford.
If God please, this fire may yet be quenched, which
humbly desires Your worships vnworthy
R. W.
Sir, I pray scale & send this to Esq, Mason.
272 THE WINTHROr PAPERS. [1649.
ROGER WILLUMS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
For his honoured kind friend Mr, John Wintrop at Pequt.
Nar: 25, 8, 49. (so calld)
Loving Sir, — To your selfe & your deare companion
best salutation & desires of your hearts desire, •& more
then your hearts can desire in the knowledge & loue of
the Son of the living God : This passing hand calls for
this line only of neighborly salutaceon & information.
Our neighbours messengers are gone to (not rctiu'ned
from) Massachusetts, with about 20H or upwards of peag.
I had i)romised to write for them, but the peag being
brought me, & so litle, & they quarrelling among thera-
selues, & foolishly charging inferior Sachims of nonpay-
ment, I was not free. I advised them (according to your
advice) to compell AVequashcuck to contribute, as allso the
Block Ilanders & some pettie Sachims about the great
pond (who follow Wequashcuck to saue their money) but
they say it is a new thing so to doe &c. & they desire
rather the English would doe it, which discoueric of their
weaknes, sir, in my poore thoughts, lioulds out a greatc
Prouidence of God for the onenes & securitie of the Eng-
lish (while the barbarians are in their fractions) & some
dore of hope to me of some preparations to draw them
neerer to civilitie, & that according to your owne deare
father's opinion & desire. Our natiues say the Mauqua-
wogs haue desired the English to stay from going to warr
against the Dutch Indians, but a Dutchman tells me he
heard (at Munnados) of 500 English comming against
them. If the Father of Mercies mercifully prevent not,
it may proue a deuouring fire. Blufield is come to New-
port & is carrying the ship (his prize) to Mimnadoes,
having promised the Governour to answer it to the Spa-
niard if dcmaunded, because she is taken against the
1W9.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. '273
Treves.* Only the seamen (being of seuerall nations) are
divided & quarrell. & will hardly be pacified but by the
Aveake power of the Hand, where a Generall Court is
suddenly calld this next (2nd) day at Portsmouth. If you
haue any printed relations from England, I shall tlianck
you for the sight. I haue receaued a large & pious letter
from the Ladic A'ane (which I will shortly present you
with). Sir Henr)''s opinion is, persecution aproaching.
Tis the portion of Christ Jesus & his to pass through suf-
fring to Glor}' : In him desirous to be euer Yours
Roger AVilliams.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
[^For'l Mr. Jo. Wintrop, these.
Nar. 9. 10. 49. (so calld)
Sir, — Praysed be God for your healths & peace, which
I humbly desire he mav please to continue & sanctific to
Himselfe. These letters Mr. Arnold importuiid me
to send, although by an hired messenger. This bearer
(although a thiefe & must be looked to) is carefuU, & I
haue promised him, vpon a note receaved from you, a pair
of breeches. We haue here notice of conclusions for the
warr from Boston, & preparacions of a set number in each
towne. Truely Sir, I haue heard litle concerning those
murthers by English or natiues, but feare that the Lord is
kindling fires amongst vs. I humbly conccaue the case of
a man murthered neede not hazard the English in winter
• 7Ver«, a ** tnico," or " armistice." It may be conjectured that the writer refers to
the Treaty of Mnnstcr, concluded between Spain and the Stutes-Genernl in 1648. This
Blae6eld is probably the Capt. " Blauvelt," a Dutchman, mentioned in O'Callaghan's
History of New Netherland, i. 296, as commander of a privateer upon our coast a few years
before. See also Documents relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York, i.
397-399. — Eds.
35
274 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [IGIO.
hostilities, nor the plantations, by the certaine & experi-
enced revenges of those Dutch Indians, & am confident
that within a yearcs compasse, &c., by silent & watchfull
courses, the murtherer or niurthcrcrs mav be taken in
English townes. Howeuer, David woukl rather winck at
murthrous Joab all his daves, then hazard the losse of
more blond for the revenging of some. At Secunck a
ffreat manv haue latelv concurd with Mr. Jo: Clarke &
our Prouidcnce men about the point of a new Baptisme,
& the manner by dipping : & Mr. Jo. Clarke hath bene
there lately (& Mr. Lucar) & hath dipped them. I belieue
their practice comes necrer the first practice of our great
Founder Christ [Jesus] then other practices of religion
doe, & vet I haue not satisfaction neither in the authoritie
by which it is done, nor in the manner ; nor in the prophe-
cies concerning the rivsing of Christs Kingdome after the
desolations bv Home, &c. It is here said that the Bav
hath lately decreed to prosecute such, & hath writt to
Plymmouth to prosecute at Secunk, with overtures that
if Plymouth doe not, &c. Here hath bene great bickrings
about BlufiekVs ship at Newport, there arrested by some
of his company, & ordered to be sold & payments made,
although he stand deepely bound to repay all to the Spa-
niard vpon demaund, because taken against the Treves.
This ship & other vessells, & great & small ordinance going
of, caused high reports (almost to my beliefe as I wrote to
you) of some Irish pirates, whome we haue cause to feare,
& (seeking to God) prepare allso for. I haue heard of a
booke from England importing another high case on foote
touching a more a^piall division of lands among brethren,
& provision for the younger brethren. I thanckfully
acknowledge your loue concemning my daughter.* My
wife (here with me) in formes me of a course of physick
* Pmbably his daiiphter M.irj', who U ?aid to have been bom at I'hMnouth in August.
1633, now sixteen years of age. — Eds.
1649.] THE WINTIIROr TAPERS. 275
she is cntrcd into with Mr. Clark* of Boston, where she
hath bene lately & is better. We are incompassed with
motions about her ; but neither I nor she can entertaine
thoughts of so early a marriage. She, as my wife tells me,
desires to spend sometime in service, & liked much Mrs.
Brenton (who wanted) ; but I trouble you with such pas-
sages, &c. My wife prayes a litle of your powder for Mrs.
Weekes daughter, of Warrick, w4io is euery w^inter greatly
afflicted bv occasion of such obstructions, & breakes forth
to lamentable effects. The condicion (although the pa-
rents ofter payment with thanks) I question not but will
prevaile with your loving breast, wherein God graciously
dwell, as in a pallace of his delights. In him I desire
to be Euer Yours vnfaigned
lloGER Williams.
Your servant Post lay with me 2 nights, earnestly
importuning me to send his thanckfuU remembrance &
service.
I am troubled about Nenekunats hunting, to whome
Wequashcuck sends threatning of Capt. Masons visit.
They haue importund me to write to Capt: Mason, which
I haue done.
On the last first day was a great fray betweene Warrick
men & those Indians, & blood spilt, & many cuts & hurts
on both sides : who both on the 3rd dav sent for me, who
went, & (by Gods mercy) composed not only the pracsent,
but haue begun a treatie of full agreement with the na-
tiues about their land, if the Bay ])lease.
Sir, my love to Mr. Brewster, to whome I thought now
to write ; but by the next, if God please.
• Dr. John Clark, phyeician of Newbury and Boston, who died in January, 1664-6.
A good portrait of him is in the cabinet of the Massachusetts Historical Society. —
Eds.
276 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1649.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
For the Worahipfull his kinde friend Mr. John Winthrop, Esq. at
Pequt.
Nar. 16. 12. 49. (so calld)
Sir, — I reioiced exceediDgly from your owne loWng
hand (by Robin Causascnamont) to receaue tidings of your
healths after this sharpe time. Blessed be God, who hath
provided warme lodging, foode, & clothing, & so seasonable
& admirable an element of fire for his poore creatures
against such times ; the same blessed Lord make vs learne
of his litle ants (Prou. 6.) to provide timely against eter-
nall bittcrnes. Hoc momentum vnde 2)endet aternitas. For
expedition I advised Robin to get ouer to Rode Hand him-
selfe, which I thinck he did, but I haue not since heard of
him. I am sorry for this afliction to Mr. Smith in his
daughters husband, & we fearc Rich : Smith his son allso,
but hope it will please God to giue vs tidings of deliuer-
ance : howeuer, it is not safe for dust & ashes to tempt the
Most High in fighting with his winter stormes without
necessitie. I grieue that my deare countrimen of Conccti-
cot are so troubled with that filthy devill of whorish prac-
tices, & more that yet they are pers waded of such courses
to cast him out. Adultcrie is a fire wliicli will root out,
but the gentiles, the nations of the world, will neuer be
proued capeable of such lawes & punishments as that holy
nation, bred up & fed with miraculous dispensations, were
fit for. Sir, I humbly blesse God that hath vouchsafed you
light & power to witnes against many evills of your coun-
trimen, to His Honour & yours. As yet we haue not
tidings from our mother. God mercifully fit vs for his
holy pleasure in hearing, doing, suiFring, li\dng, dying:
1M9.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 277
lie graciously guide you & your dearest by his councell to
his glory : So prayes
Yours vnfavned Roger Williams.
Mr. Throckmorton is preparing & waiting dayly for a
season to visit you.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTIIROP, JR.
Nar. 24. 12. 49. 80 calld.
Kind Sir, — Best salut, &c. In my last, by Consider, I
forgot a passage about that letter to the Commissioners
which you were pleased to take from me. Mr. Browne
lately told me that he can not call to mind that euer it was
produced ; he conceaues, if you forgot not, that the Proesi-
dent did, or that it was supprest. I craue one line about
it. Mr. Browne hath often profest libertie of conscience,
but now the way of new baptisme spreads at Secunck as
well as at Prouidence & the Hand. I haue bene so bold
as to tell him that he persecutes his son & the people, &
on the other side Mr. Newman also. Sir, if you haue
Carpenter s Geograpliie, or other discourse about the Earths
diurnall motion, spare it a litle to Yours most vnworthy
Roger Williams.
Sir, I pray if the Long Hand man be not gone, aske for
a booke I lent him.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOIIX WINTHROP, JR.
For the Worshipfull his kind friend Mr. John Wintrop at
Nameag.
Nar. 20. 1. 49 (so calld)
Sir, — Loving respects & best wishes to you both &c.
By Nenekunat I received your last, relating a sound of
278 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1649.
more bloudie showers about Old, & said trialls at our dorcs
in N : Tis mercy that we haue not our pcrsonall shares
in them, 'tis mercv we are not consumed. The Father of
Lights vouchsafe vs sympatizing hearts & priepared to fol-
low the Lambe through all tribulacions into Glory. Nene-
kunat now with me importunes me to write this to you, to
pray you to take notice of a message that Kausa Senamon
(your Robin) lately brought to him from Conecticut, viz.
that he should discharge & send to Long Hand that young
Sachim Tausaquonawhut, who hath lately maried his eldest
daughter, because as Cap. Mason & tlic Magistrates say,
he is a Pequt. He presents this answere to your selfe, &
prayes you to present it to the EngHsh Sachims as you find
occasion. lie saith that this Tausaquonawhut was sought
to by Onkas to marie his daughter, but he not affecting her
(because of her sore eyes) came to his daughter, who fall-
ing in loue, he, & the mother, & daughter, & himselfe
(Nenekunat) desire they might Hue necre togcather, which
they doe a small distance of. He saith some bring him
word that the English will diuorce them : others that his
daughter may follow him to Long Hand if she will.
He saith that the young man was a child when the
Pequt wars were, & had no hand in opposition, &c. That
he was not the son of anv of those Sachims who fought
against the English, but of Tattaopame, whom the Dutch
slewe. That his mother allso is Wequashcucks wife.
That there is no other coulour of his being hurtfuU to the
English, but by shewing them kindnes as they travell by
his howse: which to my knowledge he is free to.
He prayes you not to loose your right, but send for a skin
of a moose which was killd vpon one of your hummocks by
Fishers Hand lately, & caried to Wequashcuck, as the lord.
Sir, I gladly expect your booke, & one of the Parlia-
ments Declarations which I lent the Long Hand English-
man who past hereby in winter.
Sir, I desire to be euer yours vnfaigned
Roger Williams.
1650.] THE WINTHROP TAPERS. 279
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
For his honoured kind fri[end^ Mr, Wintrop at PequL*
Sir, — Yours received & sent. I pray in your next a
word about Earles paper ; a word of the warr against the
natiues. I cannot yet get particulars touching Cromwell
in Ireland, yet hope still that God will honour him, whome
I hoi)e he trucly desires to honour. I grieue to vnderstand
from your former that Moses is not vnderstood in N. E.
touching what he did to that one nonesuch typicall &
miraculous people of Israeli ; yet surely licentiousnes of
all sorts needs a sharpe [^om] though too sharpe, & more
then God requires or euer did in all nations equall to Isra-
eli, is destructiue, &c. Sir in hast
Yours euer unfaigned Roger W.
Sir, if you haue occasion to deale with Tho : Stant : or
any vp to Qunnihticut for corne of any sort, I pray remem-
ber me if it were 5006// ; I purpose to write to my old
friend [Py]iic[h]on, & pray you if you haue occasio[u,
injtimate a word to him.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
lor the worshipfull kind friend Mr. Wintrop at Pequt.\ %
Sir, — Loving respects &c. These inclosed Mr. Throck-
morton yesterday delivered to Mr. He : & Tho : Doxey, 2
* This letter h:iR no date ; but the writer, although he had not yet got the " particu-
lars touchinj^ Cromwell in Ireland," possibly had heard rumors of his doings at Drogbeda
and Wexford in September and October of 1049. — Eds.
t The following note from John Elderkin is written upon the same page, and preceding
this letter of Williams, in the original. — Eds.
Mk. Williams, — After my loue reraembrcd to you, beinge thankfull to you for your
kindncs to me, when I was with you, this is to intreat you to send me this letter to Pequit
OS spedly as you can, & if you be att charges about the sendinge of it, I willing!}' will pay
you. Your servant to my power. John Elderkin.
Pro. 12th May, 1650.
tiSO THE WIMHROP PAPEKS. ^liMO.
daycs since put forth from Xewport. but Mr. Throck :
being a leaqe the formost, met vpon Point Judith with a
gast from the souwe>:t. which brought him on backstaues.
laid his vessell on one side, in much danger, his canow fell
oner from him. & was lost, his oars ice. but God brouirht
him mercifullv safe in hither. & Tho : Doxv back to New-
port, whither he hath now sent for his wife Ac Mrs. Arnold :
Benedict hanng now bought howsc & land at Newport.
puq>osing thither to remoue. Sir, Tho : Doxy told me of
your thoughts for J^ngland: this bearer, Mr. Thatcher, tells
me he spake with some of the BristoU ship, which say that
20 to one are for the Prince throughout the land. & wait
for a change of wind, which (if God please to alter) is
doubtles like to be vcrv dreadfull, vet would I not discow-
rage you from listning to any evident call of that God who
i» able to carj* whome he sends, through men & dcvills.
Our Colonies Generall Court is now at Newport, where
(vpon a fresh report of wars with France) our English is
in demur of sufFring the Frenchmen (who came in Blue-
field[s] prise, flesht with bloud, & have bought a Frigat
of Capt. Clarke,) to goe out vpon their voyage to AVest
Indies, least they practice their trade vpon their own
coast. Yet one of them, having layen with Mr. Amies
daughter, (of Portsmouth), is like now to marry her. The
parents of the English are troubled greatly. God merci-
fully bring good out of these evills.
•Sir, it hath pleased God to quicken (by a Dutchman
skipper, liOrence, now following fishing here about vs)
some English that way, & Bened : desires to buy my shal-
lop & further that worck, which I heartily desire (if God
so please to fauour vs) may prosper with you & vs. The
Natiues haue taken aboundance of sturgeon, & cod, & bass
this yeare. Nawset English (where Mr. Prince is) putting
forth 7 or 8 boats to fish this Spring, by the oucrsetting of
one ])oat, & lossc of 2 men in the going out of the har-
bours mouth, were for the present discowraged. The Lord
1650.] THE WINTIIROP PAPERS. 281
vseth to temper great desires & hopes with such sharpes,
I hope they will on againe. Sir, I want paper, rest yours
R. W.
There is a sound of the Narrig : warring vpon Rode
Hand (which therevpon keepe watch,) but it is founded on
a lye, as I shall informe you.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WIXTHROP, JR.
[^Address oUiierated.']
Sir, — Deare respects to your deare sclues & loving
sister, reioicing in your peace, which may well with vs (after
the Hebrew idiom) comprize the rest, &c. The messen-
ger tells me you haue that tidings about P. Rupert, whose
name in these parts sounds as a north cast storme of snow.
The Father of Mercies graciously avert, or (if he sees
good for vs to bring it) shelter vs vnder the wings of his
mercies, & gather vs vnder them by true humiliation.
Our peace here this last night sounds very vncertaine.
Indian newcs hath doubtles something in it, of a 100 Eng-
lish from the Bay comming to Warrick & the Narriganset :
to Warrick about controversies between Warrick men &
Mr. Arnold : to Narrogans : for peag. They tell of their
instant aproach, Mr. Throckmorton last night from Pro-
vidence writes that Plimouth men were lately in great &
hot debates about yielding their claime of these parts to
the Bay, which, after much heat in voting, was by a com-
mittee cast to the Bay, whence I coniecture they now act.*
God graciously turne it to his prayse howeuer, whateuer
becomes of our peace. Sir, we haue great cause to sigh at
the filthines in this land, & allso at the vnchristian wayes
• See Proceedings of the General Court of Plymouth, under date of 10 Jane, 1660, in
Plym. Col. Records, ii. 158-60. — Eds.
36
282 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [16j0.
of punishments. You may please to remember that I
haue bene large (in the Bloodie Tenent), in the difFcrcnce
betweene that land of Israeli & all others. It is in discuss-
ing of the modell. Mr. Cotton refers the answere to the
rest of the elders, whose answer or reply I yet here not of,
& pray you if you doe, to intimate. Tis a controuersie
wherein I am deepely engaged, of which you will (if God
please) see more. For your sclfe, dearc sir, you doe I
presume (as in conscience to God & man, you can no lesse)
propose your queries to your friends, of note for authoritie
& abilitie : whose answers I should thanck you to see.
Newton's case is eminent; poorc man. God graciously
arme him against the last* great triall aproaching, where
millions of men & dcvills numberles would ioy eternally
to swone without returning. God graciously fit him & vs
for that battell by these slight visitations, &c. For Say-
broke, sir, you know I reioice & mourne : reioice that the
Lord Jesus his name is more sounded, & mourne that not
after the first patteme, in which I find no Churches extant
framed, but all (by a dreadfuU fate) opposing, dissolving,
&c. & Perez Vzzah, the breaches & divisions wonderfuU.
The Portraicture,* I guesse is Bp. Halls, the stile is pious
& acute, very like his, & J. H. subscribes the Epitaph:
probably he presented these passages to the K. in the
times of his restraint, for he w^as truely the Bps. K. &
breathed from first to last absolute Monarchy & Episcopa-
cie. Doubtles (viis & modis) he was guiltie of much blood.
All that seemes waigty in my eye are the popular tumoults
alleadged as the artifice of the Pari : Tis true it is a dan-
gerous remedie, yet that which God vsed against Baals
priests. The people as well as K. were stirrd vp for their
death. The people for Johnathan against K. Saul. The
people held the Pharises in aw, thirsting after Christ's &
• "'KIKiiN BAi:iAIKn. The Portraicture of liis Sacred Majesty in his solitudes &
Buflcriiigs/* publisheil just nflcr the kiiig*8 (Charles I.) death, and supposed by many to
have been written by Bishop Gauden. — Eds.
U\oi),] THE WINTHROP PArERS. 283
the Apostles blood. Sir, pardon my paper in all its de-
fects, & let me truely mourne that I am not more
Yours vnfaigned in Christ Jesus. 11. W.
Sir, I am bold to add my mite &c., these inclosed.
Sir, hearing want of pins, I craue Mrs. AVintrops accept-
ance of 2 small papers, that if she want not herselfe, yet
she may pleasure a neighbour.
. ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
For his honoured kind friend Mr. John Wintrop at Pequt,
Nab. 17. 8. 50. (so calld)
Kind Sir, — Loving respects &c. The Captains de-
maund was 308 ffath : for the debt, & 200 for this expedi-
tion. They paid 140, & said it was the whole, & that the
difference was made by the measure. They allso brought
240 for this Expedition : & upon the Captaincs motion I
prevailed with them to send 2 natiucs, with a petition writ
by myselfe to hauc all cancelled. The Capt. promised to
second the petition, which they said your loving selfe &
Capt. Gibbons & Mr. Stanton had formerly presented in
their behalfe.
I was (if not too) warmc, insisting on the partialitie
against the Nariganset & toward Onkas, & affirmed that
Onkas mij^ht better steale manv horses then Weiiekunat
looke oner the hedge. I vrged Onkas his villanous dealing
against your poore towne, your selfe, &c. There is a
misterie in it, of which formerly, Sir^your selfe & I had
some hints, & may, if it please the Lord to bring vs togea-
ther before winter. The Capt : told me the busines was
designed by the Commissioners, & that (as he perceaved)
they were resolved to hazard a war vpon it &c. But
284 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1650.
praised be the most holy, gracious, & only wise, who not
only watcht oucr you & vs ; but if I mistake not ouer the
whole countrie, while the watchmen slept : for to me it is
certaine, a war betweene the English & the ]\[auquawos,
or betweene the English & the Narigansets, will, if not dis-
possesse many a planter & displant plantations ; yet hazard
much blood, & slaughter, & ruin to both English & Indian ;
& when soever this sor plauge of God comes, though vpon
neuer so just a cause in the last way of rcmedic & cxtrea-
mitie, yet it is one of his 3 most dreadfuU earthly & tcmpo-
rall judgments vpon the children of men.
Sir, Tho : Doxie came in almost 3 weeks since, he had
no mind for Prouidence, but stood away for Martin'fe \ in-
yard, left a letter for his wife here to meete him, who
came in this day, some few howres since from Providence,
but we heare not of Tho : so that the poore woman is
much disconsolate, for to get from Prouidence she was
forced to promise to come back, if Tho : would not come
vp : yet Benedict writes to me & to hir here exceeding
lovingly. I feare he is gone to Munnadoes to finish this
voyage with the 2 Dutchmen with him. Kathrine pre-
sents service & prayes advice. The Father of mercies
graciously blesse these trialls to her, that it may be for her
good in the latter end, which 1 shall (through his grace)
endeauour to further.
Sir, I am your vnworthy R. W.
ROGEH WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
For his lixynoured hind friend Mr. Winthrop, at Pequt, These,
Sir, — Best saliit &c. Yours by Elderkin (who predi-
cates your iust praise in many respects &c.) qommon, phi-
losophicall, morall virtue, laudafa crescit, — how much
165»».2 THE WINTHKOF FAFERSw "^Si
more should true* heavcnlv, ^: etemall ■ I wn>te vou
larsely the i»iie of things* i: hoj^e you haue roceive\l ^:i\
In sum, that the Capt: had liO fath. tor the debt ^ which
was all saT the Indians, but oO> sav the Euirlish) allso ^^40
for this charse. A petition I wrote to the Court for the
Natiues touchins the difference, i: this bearer, ^[r. Caukin*
tells me it was accepted in the Court of Deputies \^of w hich
he was cue K He tells me of a booke latelv come oner in
Mr. Pvnchon s name.* wherein is some den>sration to the
blood of Christ- The booke was therefore burnt in the
Market place at Boston, <N: Mr. Pjuchon to Ih^ cited to
the Court. If it come to your hand. I may hojH? to see it ;
howeuer the Most Hi«?h & onlv AVise will bv this case
discouer what libertie conscience hath in this hind. Sir. as
I wrote, Katherine came in hiether the dav I wrote, to
seeke Tho : Doxev, & he came in the next dav after, & the
next day to Prouidence togeather. She tells me (to giue
Benedict content) she let Bened : write to her vuckle : but
she her selfe writ priuately that if any thing were sent, it
might be in howsehold stuff. I hope (yet feare) thesi^
trialls may take of Tho : from company, spending &c, vnto
which your helpe will not be wanting. I thiuck he will
bring her to Pequt or Long Hand. Your tidings of (uhVs
renewed mercy again to Cromwell is confirmed : Sir, in
his mercy rest you & yours, & in him I desire to be euer
Yours • • • j^ ^y
lodorscd by John Wintlirop, jiin., ** Mr. Williams, Goto : 2.'^ : ** t
• Pynchon's book, " The Meritorious Price of Man's Roiloinption/* Jto., was )>uMi3»ho\i
in 16&U, audarrivedliere during the ses^^ion of tho iieneral Court in October; and that InHiy
ordered it to be burnt the next day " after the Lecture.*' See Mass. Col. Roconls. vol. iv.
part i. pp. 29, 8«>. — Eds.
t ItJoO. The letters fn^m p. 267 to this place, which have a date, wen* written, it will
be seen, from Niirragansett ; and those not dated were doubtlos* written fnmi tho muio
place. Williams had purchtised an estate, and built a tnuling-honse, at ** Oaucaunisi|uisKlo,**
in the Namigansott country, embraced in what is now North Kin^r^ton, near tho hou«e of
Richard Smith, who had preceded him there; and «iuite a number of hiA letters, dated
from this place, will be found published in a former volunio of " Collect ittns" «>f thin Si>-
ciety. Not long before his departure for Kngland, in the autumn of ICfil, Williams sidd
this place to Smith. See Knowlcs's Memoir of Roger Williams, p. 200 et «ry. ; U Mush.
IliaL Cull., ix. 2U4. — Kus.
286 THE WlNTHROr TAPERS. [1654.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
For my honourd kind friend Mr, John Wintrop at his hoicse at
Peqiit in New England.
From Sir Ilenry Vane*s at WniTEHALL,*
20, 2, 52. (So calld.)
Kind Sir, — Tis nccre 2 in the morning, yet a line of
my dearest remembrance to your lo\ing selfe & yours, from
whom I haue receaved so many loving lines continually.
Our old friend Col. Ilumphries is gone, & lately allso Col.
Cooke : yet blessed be God we Hue, & through the jawes
of death are landed safe, & behould the wonders, the
Magnalia & Miracula Dei in England. I haue sent a
large narration, both concerning Old England affaires &
New, to Prouidence. I hope & desire you may see it.
Mr. Peters is well at Whitehall. I haue often bene with
him, he tells me he hath b[ut] that 200// per yeare which
the Parliament gaue him, where of he allowcs 4 score per
annum to his wife. Your bro : Stephen is a great man
for soule libertie. I haue mentioned you to Sir Henry
Vane, who wisheth you were in our colonic ; touching
which you will see Vestigia Dei in my narration. At
present I pray your acceptance of my poorc papers, & tell
you that I more & more desire to be euer
Yours in Christ Jesus IIoger Williams.
My kind loue to Mr. Stanton & other louing friends.
ROGER WILLL\MS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
Sir, — It hath not bene this sharpe & bitter season which
could haue frozen my pen from saluting you both (having
* Mr. Williams was now in England; having saileil from Hoston in Novoiiiber, 1G51. He
returned early in the sumuior of 10r>4. See 3 Moss. Hist. Coll., x. 1. — En^s.
1G54.] THE WINTHROr PAPERS. 287
received yours some weekes since.) but I could not get a
meeting with Nenekunat, & messengers effected nothing,
which I sent to him. Your great triall, losse & hinderance
I am exceedingly grieved at, & cordially wish it were in
my hand to contribute to your abundant satisfaction &
reparacion. I haue taken willingly any paines about it,
& shall ; & beg of God himselfe to please to make vp these
gaps & breaches, with the teachings & comfortings of his
Eternall Spirit.
I haue had a soUemne debate with Nenekunat & the
rest of the Nariganset Sachims, in a late great meeting at
Warwick, whether thev came downe with 4 score armed
men, to demaimd satisfaction for the robbing of Pesiccush
his sisters graue, & mangling of her flesh ; against John
Garriard, a Dutchman, whose crue, & it is feard, himselfe,
committed that gastly & stincking vilanie against them.
In this meeting the Sachims were vnanimous, & (as vnion
strengthens) they were so bold as to talke often of mens
lines, & of fighting with vs, & demaunded an English child
for hostage vntill satisfaction, because John Garriard had
lined at Warwick, & had goods & debts there still remain-
ing. At last it pleased the Lord to pacific all with our
attaching of the Dutchman's goods & debts, vntill he haue
made satisfaction (in the Dutch jurisdiction or the Eng-
lish) to the Sachims charge against him. There was in his
crue one Samuel, a hatter, & one Jones, a seaman, & an
Irishman, persons infamous, so that we feare John Gar-
riard was drawne in by them, at least to consent to share
with tliem in such a bootie.
Sir, this troublesome occasion furnished me with full
agitacions about your wrongs & demaunds allso. And be-
sids this I haue had both former & later discoursings &
searchings with diners Indians, & some that w^ere present,
& some that were disaffected to Nenekunat, and all an-
sweres & agitations &c. amount to, first, an absolute deny-
all that either the Sachims or people know of any catle of
288 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1654.
yours slaine by themselues or the Inlanders, excepting 3 or
4 goats, which the Paucomtuck Indians kild in their break-
ing vp in displeasure, & departure from Nenekunat, & in
their march toward the Easteme end of your iland home-
ward.
2. They affirme that such slaugliters could not possibly
be made by any of themselues or the strangers, but they
should know of it, being intermingled with them in all
their quarters : & whereas I said they were long there, &
had spent provisions ; they say they had 3 canowes conti-
nually going from your iland to Pequt for provision ; which
though sometime the winds hinderd some howres, yet by
day or by night they alwayes came, & brought supply.
3. They say that some English whome you trusted there,
not only gaue Nenekunat one goat, but they haue known
diuers giuen or sold to English or Dutch pinnaces. I con-
fesse, sir, this last came not within my thoughts to sauour
of truth, vntill conferring with some English further, I
find it vndeniable from many English witnesses, that many
goats haue bene sold (& some at cheape prises,) by some
whome you haue trusted, to many vcssells. Some of the
vessells belong to our townes, & they name your kinsman
Mr. Symons. The particulars are many : one I shall hint,
that you may review whether you had account of it or no :
Mr. Smiths vessell gaue him an ell of hoUand for one goat,
which in our parts would yeald about I4cs : so that I heare
some vessells brought (more then for present spending)
some line goats along with them.
Sir, this English worck I belieue is true, although I
dare not absolue the barbarians from your charge, &
therefore shall still continue my vtmost care & search.
Sir, the tidings stirring amongst vs is (as is said) from a
ship (about 4 months since arriued from England,) report-
ing slaughters of Scotch & English in diuers battailes
fought in Scotland ; but (as is said) the Lord was pleased
to tumc the scales to the English. It is said allso that the
1(>54.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 289
Parliament (which was to begin the 3rd of 7ber) was broke
vp in discontent. It is said that a fleete was designed
against Hispaniola, & thatlMr. Winslow goes in chiefe com-
mand, or to be Govemour.* Sir, I yet beheue not this first
sound of things, & yet I beheue them to be very like to be
true, & greater & greater Revolutions aproaching. The
invisible & etcrnall Jehovah will make his justice & mercy
more & more visibly glorious, in aeternall successiue disco-
ucries of himselfe to his, & to the worcks & creatures of
his mighty hand.
It hath pleased God, sir, to take away (some few dayes
since) the wife of our Joshua Windsor (once a servant to
your deare father). She had made a passionate wish that
God would part them, & take aw ay him or her. It pleased
his Jcalousie to heare her, & to take away a child m her
wombe allso, of which she could not be deUuered.
We haue had some gusts amongst vs as to our whole Co-
lonic & civill order. At my comming ouer our neighbours
were run into divisions. By the good hand of the Lord
they were perswaded to choose 24 Commissioners ((> out
of a towne) to reconcile. They vnited & haled me out
(sore against my spirit) to publike service : yet the spirits
of some haue not bene so reconcileable : Tho : Olney &
my brother in our towne, (vpon private grudges), Mr.
Easton & Mr. Dyer at Newport, fearing Sabaudies pinnace
must be paid for, which case the Court at Massachusets
lately would not determine, but left it to be tried in our
owne Colonic, which was the late answer of the Court at
Ipswich to Mr. Ames, who sued Mr. Dyer in the Bay.
What plots & diggings haue bene vsed to overtume all
Courts, that so there might be an escape, & therefore
Newport is made to stand of (except some few) from the
rest of the Colonic.
* Edwnrd Winslow wns nppointed by Cromwell cominiBsioner to attcud the expedition
ng:nin:<t Hispaniola in 165G ; and died on the passage, between that island and Jamaica, May 8
of that year. — Eds.
37
290 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1654.
Sir, we haue a sound of a Gen : Govemour, & that
Baron Rigby bis son is the man: but jt is time to excuse
this prolixitie, & to end with humble desires to the most
Holy & Eternal King to protect, to direct, & comfort your
spirit in all present & future trialls. So prays. Sir,
Yours most vnworthy R. W.
Sir, these inclosed were sent to me from Mr. White,
now wintring at Warwick. It is said he hath skill in
most worcks : many of ours haue thoughts of trying his
skill about a new bridge at Prouidence, & he hath pro-
mised to come ouer to vs to consult, but the weather hath
hindred.
Mr. Foote hath once & againe mooved for Iron Workes
at Prouidence. He tould me that you had speech with
him about his getting of jron men to Pequt, but he
thought your selfe would be willing to promote the worck
as well here as there, & therefore promised me to write to
you. If I had power in my hand I would venture to such
a publike good, & howeuer would gladly contribute all
assistance, especially if your loving spuit & experience be
pleased to giue encowragemcnt.
Sir, I haue not at present by me a copie (fair or foule)
of my Consideracions presented to the Gen: Court at
Boston : something there is in them of passages betweene
the Lord Protector & my selfe ; othcrwayes they are but
knowne things (especially to your selfe) : howeuer, if pos-
sible I can, I will present your desire with the sight of
them.
Post S. — Sir, this letter hath long lain by expecting
conveyance. Indeede Xenekunat promised to send a
messenger for them, but (whether the winter or other
occasions hindred, sicknes, death, &c.) yet jt hath stuck
by me as an arrow in my side, least I should seeme to
neglect such a friend & such a case.
For the fleete of which you please a line (in this your
1654.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 291
welcome tidings of your healths) we heare of 60 or an
100 saile. I know the Protector had strong thoughts of
llispaniola & Cuba. Mr. Cotton's interpreting of Euphra-
tes to be the West Indies : the supply of gold, (to take
of taxes), & the provision of a warmer Diuerticulum &
lleceptaculum tlien N. England is, will make a footing into
those parts very precious, & if it shall please God to
vouchsafe successe to this fleete, I looke to heare of an
invitation at least to these ^ parts for remoovall, from his
Highnes, who lookes on N. E. only with an eye of pitie, as
poore, cold & vselcs.
And surely this nonesuch winter is like to set any
wheele a going for remoovalls of uery many.
Capt. Gibbons at beginning of this winter (as I presume
you haue long since heard) made this winter his last, & is
departed.
Mr. Dunster (as is said) expecting to be outed about his
judgment of childrens baptisme, withdrew himselfe, & Mr.
Cliancic, who was shipt for England, is now master of the
CoUedge.*
We allso here that 2 of Mr. Dells f bookes were lately
burnt at the Massachusetts, (possibly) containing some
sharpe things against the Presbyterians & Academians, of
which I brought ouer one cald the Triall of Spirits.
I pray you to read & retume this Jew. I haue allso an
answere to him by a good plaine man, expounding all
which the Jew takes literally, in a spirituall way: & I
haue (in a discourse of a Knight (L'Estrange) proving
Americans no Jewes) another touch against him : howeuer,
I rejoiced to see such industrious spirits breathing in that
people toward the Messiah or Christ of God.
Mr. Foot is said (at present) to resolue for the Dutch :
• See Quincy^s Hist, of Harvard University, vol. i. pp. 17, 18; oiid Appendix, p. 466.
— ED8. *
t Willinm Dell, master of Gonvill and Cains College, Cannbridge, published, in 1663,
" The Tryoll of Spirits, both in Teachers and Hearers;" and **The Stumbling Stone." —
Kl)8.
292 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1653.
vpon occasion of my declaring against his man, Mr. Fow-
lers disordcriy marriage in Mr. Foots howse, without any
publication, & vpon that occasion my refusing to promote
the Iron Worcks as yet; he is displeased, & speaks of
departure. I truely loue & pitie the man, yet surely from
him haue the Indians bene furnished with store of liquors ;
from his howse haue the incivilities of our towne bene
much encouraged, & much evill reports he hath incur'd
about this mariage. He saith he knew not of it till ouer
night. But (although the pretended mariage was not,) jt
may be, resolued on before ouer night, yet I am sorry to
heare such talke in the towne of what he knew before.
Sir, the truth is (as one said to Queen Elizabeth) Profecto
omnes sumus licentid deteriores. We enioy liberties of soule
& body, but it is licence we desire, except the Most Holy
helpe vs : in whome Sir, I desiie to be euer
Yours R: W:
15. 12. 54. (80 calld.)
Mine & my wiues true respects to Mrs. Wintrop, &c.
ROGER WILLUMS TO JOHN AVINTHROP, JR.
Foi' my honoured kind friend Mr. Wintrop at his howse at Pequt.
Leaue this with Mr. White of Wartvick.
Procidence 2;J. 1. SJ (so calld.)
Sir, — Cordiall respects presented. Mr. White com-
ming to you can not come without salut : I haue this last
weeke many letters from England : but all dated the first
weeke of the Parliaments sitting: The howse consisted
most of Presbiterian fautors. All that are waved are
rancked into Cavaliers & Levellers : vpon the grand ques-
tion of the Supreame Legisletiue, the Lord Bradshaw^ spake
openly that if a Parliament were not supreame, then was
he a murtherer of K. Cha[iies]. Sir Arthur Hazclrig
1655.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 293
spake high : but the report is double : some say a vote past
that they would not dispute that point, some say they did
dispute, & therefore a breach followed, & the jmprison-
ment of Bradshaw & Hazelrig, &c. & jt is said here (by
Dutch newes) 2 beheaded. The Protectour in his speech
told them he had setled the 3 Nations, had made peace
with Holland, Denmarke, Swedeland, Switzerland, &
cntred far into a treatie with France, &c. The sea pre-
parations of the English renderd others jealous : so that
(& the troubles of the Dutch among themselues, which
cause them to keepe a guard of 800 at the Hauge) that
caused new orders to the Admiraltie, for careful! striking
to the English : Gen : Blake with his fleete was bound
for the Southward: Gen: Pen & Mr. Winslow with
him for the West. It is feard that his poore wife will
misse him. He writes to N. Plymmouth that (except the
Parliament prohibited) they were ready to set saile: he
hath new fitted himselfe & sent ouer his former apparell.
The Portugal! embassadour* hath bene beheaded for a
murther in the Exchange, & Mrs. Mohun & her maid
stood in the pillorie before the Exchange, for attempting
his escape by womens apparell. Mr. Marshall, & Viner, &
Mr. Tho: Goodwin, minister to the Parliament. Mr.
Goodwin prest the instance of Pharoah & the l[et]ting of
Gods people free to worship, least the Lord send new
plauges & breaches. Sir, your messenger calls : I end.
Yours vnworthy R. W.
I shall be thanckfuU for the Jesuits Maximes, of which
I haue heard, but saw them not.
We heare from the Bay that Capt. Leveret tooke a
Dutch ship lately vpon the Act for Trade : whether jt be
for that or words, he js bound to appeare at the Gen :
Court.
* Dom Pantalcon Sa, brother of the Portuguese anib(i»»(idorf wns executed, July 10,
1654, for tlic murder of Mr. Greonwny at tho Kxchtinp^e. — Kda.
294 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1655.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
For my Jionoured kind friend Mr, John Wintropj at Pequtj these.
Prouidence, 1. 1. 55 (so calld.)*
Sir, — Loving respects & best wishes &c. I lately pre-
sented you with a line by Mr White: since I received
more letters from England, confirming the tidings of 2
great fleetes ready to set sailc from England the beginning
of September. The one with Gen : Blake for the South-
ward ; the other with Gen : Pen for the West Indies. To
him was joined Mr. Winslow, as Councellour, designed
Governour of what part should be conquerd. The Par-
liament sat, & after 3 dayes debate about the last change
of Government, the Lord Protectour sent for the Parlia-
ment into the Painted Chamber, & tould them that there
was a reciprocation, & that the same power which made
him Protectour had calld the Parliament, & therefore be-
fore they should sit againe, he must require a test, or
recognition by subscription to his negatiue voice, as to the
present government by a Protectour & a Parliament, as to
the not sitting of the Parliament aboue 5 months, as to the
malitia, & as to persecution for religion. To this purpose
a table was set neere the Parliament dore, whereon the
recognition was presented in parchment, vnto which Mr.
Lenthall, the Speaker, & 140 subscribed presently &
entred : some dissented, among whom were Bradshaw
& Hazelrig, w^ho, (it is said) are in the Tower. The Por-
tugall Embassadours brother was beheaded for a murther,
& one Coll : whose name I yet know not. One Mrs. Mo-
hun stood on the pillorie, for attempting the Portugalls
escape in womans apparell.
The 3rd of 7ber, the day of the Parliaments first sitting,
was scene in the heauens oner Hull, 2 armies fighting ;
• Tliia letter waa evidently written after that which next precedes it; and it may bo
supposed that the date should be " 1. 2. 65/' instead of 1. I. as in the original. — Eds.
IGCH.] THE WINTHROr PAPERS. 295
the one from the norwest which worsted the other from the
east, both red : then a black armie from the norwest which
worsted the red from the east, & remained victour. Some
that saw jt said they saw the like at the beginning of the
late Long Parliament.
HpUand had great trouble with Zeland, & the Orengian
faction, so that the Hague & Amsterdam were strongly
guarded. New orders were sent to their Admiraltie for
carefuU striking to the English.* Sir, with prayers for your
hdalth & eternall peace, I rest yours in all services of
loue. R. W.
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTIIROP, JR.
To my hofwured kind frjend Mr. Wintropj Oovcmourj at Hart-
fordj present.
Providence 28. 3, 64. (so calld.)
Sir, — Meeting (this instant before sun rise, as I wont to
my field &c) an Indjan running back for a glassc, bound
for your parts, I thought (since nihil sine Providentja)
that an Higher Spirit then his owne, might purposely (like
Jonathans boy) send him back for this hastie salutatjon to
your kind sclfe & your deare companjon.
Sir, I wajted for a gale to retume you many cordjall
thancks for your many cordjall expressions of ancient
kindnes to ray selfe, & the publike peace & wellfare : I
haue since bene occasioned & drawne (being nominated
in the Charter to appeare againe vpon the deck,) from my
beloved privacie : my humble desires arc to contribute
my poore mite (as I haue euer, & I hope cuer shall) to
• In the treaty between Great Britain nnd the Statcs-Gencrni, concluded at West-
minster, April G, 10^4, it was agreed that the ships of the United Provinces, meeting anv
English ship-of-war in the British seas, should strike the flag and lower the topsail.
EDd.
296 THE WINTHROr PAPERS. [1664.
preserue plantation & publiks interest of the whole
N. E. & not interest of this or that towne, colony, opi-
nion, &c.
Sir, when we that haue bene the eldest, & arc rotting,
(to morrow or next day) a generatjon will act, I feare, far
vnlike the first Wintrops & thejr Modells of Loua:* I
feare that the common Trinitie of the world, (Profit, Pne-
ferment. Pleasure) will here be the Trja omnia^ as in all
the world beside : that Prrelacie & Papacie too will in this
willdernes pnedominate, that God Land will be (as now' jt
js) as great a God with vs English as God Gould was with
the Spaniards &c. While we are here, noble sir, let vs
Viriliter hoc agere^ rem agere humanam, divinam, Christjanam^
which I belieue is all of a most publike genius.
Sir, those words in our Charter concerning the Nari-
ganset (notwithstanding a late graunt to the C'olony of
Conectjcut) &c., are so taking with my neighbours, that
Resolutions were vp (this last Court) of fetching old Mr.
Smith presently, because of his new engagement to Conec-
ticut : jt pleased God to helpe me to stop that councell, & to
praevajle that only a boate was sent, with a loving letter
to invite him, & he came not, but said well, viz. that when
the Colonies were agreed, he would submit. Sir, 3 daycs
hence Major IJenison & Mr. Damport meete from the Bay
with Mr. Greene of Warwick, & Mr. Torey of New{)ort,
at Secunck, to compose the strife betweene vs : I hope your
honoured selfe & Major Mason, & some of the graue Elders
&c., will helpe on such worck betweene your selues & vs,
allso, vnto which I hope the Father of mercies will helpe
me to be your & the countries servant in all respect &
faythfuUnesf R. W.
Raptim.
• This may be a reference to Gov. VVinthrop's Model of Christian Charity, a sermon
written on board the •* Arbclla." See 3 Mass. Hist. Coll., vii. 33. — Ei>8.
t See further, in relation to the subject of tiie concluding paragniph of this letter, in
K. I. Col. KccordSf ii. 47, &c. ; An)old';» Uist. of R. I., i. 307. — Eds.
1675.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 297
On the oiit.side, iu Williams*8 Iiuiidwritiiig.
Just now I find this bearer to be Miantunomucs son.
Judorscul by Gov. Wiiitlirop of ConiHJcticut, "Mr. llog : AViIliiim«
rec: Siitunliiy Juii: 25 IGG-i."
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
2b my honoured hind frjend Mr. John Winthorp, Goucrfiour of
his Majesti^is Colony of Coneciicutj present.
From Mr. Richard Smiths, June 13, 1675 (ti vulgo)*
Sir, — Mr. Smith being at Newport, I am occasioned to
present my old & constant loue & respects, as also Mrs.
Smiths great thancks & service to you. Sir, Mr. Smith
deliuercd me 2 letters, the one from Mr. Fitch, the other
from jMr. John Mason, praying me (accorcling to the contents
of the letters) to enquire of Mawsup, (now calld Canouni-
cus),t whether Oncas had stird him vp against the Wunnas-
howatuckowogs, to kill them, &c. Sir, a fortnight since I
w^ent to Cawnownicus his howse, but he was gone 12 mile
of: I souf^ht him againe yesterday, & found him 5 mile
from his howse: I shewd him the letters: I vsed allso
your honoured name, & the names of your honoured As-
sistants, both concerning the killing of the English cattell
in these parts ; as allso concerning thejr cariage toward
tlie Wunnashowattuckoogs who are respected by your
selues.
Sir, Caunounicus & other Sachims & his Councell pro-
fess they will be carefull of the English & their cattell
among them : allso that they will shew respect to those
• Smitirs rosidcnco was at Wickfonl, in the present town of North Kingston. It is
supposed that he had established himself tliero as early as 1C40. Sco Updike*8 Hist, of £he
E])iRCopal Church in Narrajransott, R.I., Intro, xv. ci $eq. — Ens.
t This Indian is bettor known by the name of Pessacus. He was bom about the
year 1C23, ami wa"* about twenty yeara of age when his brother Miantonomo, whom he suc-
ceeded, WX4 put to death. CanonicuSf the " great sacliom," died in 1647. Soo Winthrop's
Hist, of N. E., ii. 308; R.L Hist. Coll., iii. 173. — Eds.
38
298 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1675.
Showatuks for your sake, & in particular (which answers
Mr. Fitch & Mr. Mason's letters) Caunounicus vtterly
denies that Onkas euer soUicited him to kill or mplest
those Showatuks. Withall he added 2 reasons. First, that
jt js not credible that since Onkas killd his brother Mian-
tunnomu, he (Canounicus) should be sollicited by Onkas
in such a busines, or that he should gratifie Onkas desires,
&c. 2, Both himselfe, & Nananawtunu* (Miantunnomu's
yongest, very hopefuU sparke) desire earnestly that Tatup-
hosuwut, Onkas his son, who hath killd a Wiyow (or
Sachim) one of thejr cousins, may suffer impartially, as
now the English haue dealt with the 3 Indians which
killd John Sossiman. AUso they praid me to add, that
your selfe are not ignorant of Onkas his many fowle prac-
tices, & how he treacherously sent an head (or heads) of
the Qunnihticut Indians to the Mauquawogs, & would
send your heads allso as presents if he could come at
them. Sir, Nananawtinu added this argument for impar-
tiallitie toward Tatuphosuit: I am (said he) my father
Miantunnomues son, as Tatuphosuit is to Onkas : if there
should partialitie be shewd to him, & that money should
buy out mens Hues, or that one of his men should die for
him, then all we young Sachims shall haue a temptation
laid before vs to kill & murther, &c., in the hope of the
like impunitie.
Sir, jt js true that Phillip (fearing apprehension) stood
vpon his guard with his armed barbaijans. Taunton,
Swansie, Rehoboth, & Providence stood vpon ours, but
praised be God, the storme js ouer, Phillip is strongly
suspected, but the honoured Court at Plymmouth (as we
heare) not having evidence sufficient, let matters slcepe,
& the countrey be in quiet, &c.
Sir, I constantly thinck of you, & send vp one remcm-
• Atiat ** Canonchet »♦ (by which name he is better known), at this time the acknow-
ledged sachem of the NarragaQsotts. See Hubbard's Present State of Now England,
&c., p. 67. — £ds.
1675.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 299
brance to heauen for you, & a groan from my selfe for
my selfe, when I pass ♦Elizabeths Spring. Here is the
spring say I (with a sigh) but where js Elizabeth ? My
charity answers, she is gone to the Eternal Spring &
Fountaine of Living Waters : f Oh, Sir, I beseech the Fa-
ther of Mercies & Spirits to preserue your precious soule in
life (long & long fa portion of the Utter and the eignature deMtroyedJ\
Sir, about a fortnight since your old acquaintance Mr.
Blackstone % departed this life in the fo wrscore year of his
age : 4 days before his death he had a great pain in his
breast, & back, & bowells : afterward he sajd he was well,
had no paines, & should line, but he grew fainter, & yealded
vp his breath without a groanc. The Lord make vs wait
(with Job) for that great change.
ROGER WILLUMS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To my much honoured kind frj end Mr. John Winthorp, Govcrnour
of Conecticutj present.
From Mr. Smitus at Nahioonsik, June 25, 75 (vt vulgo)
Sir, — This inclosed of a former date comes to my hand
again at Mr. Smiths. Mr. Smith is now absent at Long
Hand : !Mrs. Smith, though too much favouring the Fox-
ians (calld Quakers) yet she js a notable spirit for courtesie
toward strangers, & prays me to present her great thanks
for your constant remembrance of her, & of late by Capt.
Atherton.
* The sprinp; so called from Goyemour Winthrop^s Lndy, named Elizabeth, drinking at
it as she passd to Boston. — Note hy a later hand; probably by John Winfhrop^ F.R.S.
t Mrs. Elizabeth Winthrop, the wife of John Winthrop, Jr., died 24th November,
1G72. — Eds.
X William Rlackstone, the first Enj^lish inhabitant of Boeton, died at his house, near
Study Uill, iu Cumberland, R.I., May 2G, 1675. Sec 2 Masti. Hist. Coll., z. 170-173.—
Kds.
300 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1675.
Sir, this morning are departed from this howse Capt :
Huchinson & 2 more of Boston Commissioners from the
Governour & Councill at Boston to the Nahigonsik &
Cowwesit Indjans. They came (3 days since) to my howse
at Providence, with a letter to my selfe from the Gover-
nour & Council at Boston, praying my advice to their
Commissioners & my assistance &c. in thejr negociatjons
with the Nahiggonsik Indjans. I (within halfe an howres
warning) departed with them toward the Nahigonset.
We had one meetuig that night with Quaunoncku, Mian-
tunnomu's youngest son, & vpon the opening of the
Govemours letters, he readily & gladly assented to all
the Govemours desires, & sent post to Mausup (now calld
Caunounicus), to the Old Queen,* Xinicraft & Quawni-
pund,f to giue vs a meeting at Mr. Smiths. They being
vncivill & barbarous, & the Old Queen (especially) timo-
rous, we condiscended to meete them all neere the great
pond, at least 10 mile from Mr. Smiths howse. We lajd
open the Govemours letter : & accordingly they professed
to hould no agreement with Phillip, in this his rising against
the EngUsh. They professed (though Vnkas had sent 20
to Philip, yet) they had not sent one, nor would : that they
had prohibited all thejr people from going on that side,
that those of their people who had made manages with
them, should returne or perish there : that if Phillip or
his men fled to them, yet they would not receaue them,
but deliuer them vp vnto the English.
They questioned vs why Plymmouth pursued Phillip.
We answered : he broke all laws, & was in armes of re-
bellion against that Colony, his ancient frjcnds & protectours,
though it js believed that he was the author of murthering
John Sossiman, for revealing his plots to the Governour
• Qaaiapcn. She had been the wife of '* Meika," aWn "Mnxanno" (eldest son of
Oanonicus, the pr^at Rachein); and, after his dcatli, was called the ** Suncke Sqnaw," or
" Old (iueen of the NarragiuiBctts." See R. I. Hist. Coll., iii. 172. — Eds.
t Trobably the same as Quonopen, a Nurragansott chief. Jbid.^ 173. — Eds.
1675.] THE WINTHROP PArERS. 301
of Plymmouth, & for which the 3 actours were 2 weeks
sine executed at Plymmouth, (though one brake the rope,
& is kept in prison vntill their Court in 8ber).
2. They demaunded vs why the Massacliusets & Rode
Hand rose, & joynd with Plymmouth against Phillip, & left
not Phillip & Plymmouth to fight jt out Wc answered that
all the Colonies were subject to one K. Charls, & jt was his
pleasure, & our dutie & engagement, for one English man to
stand to the death by each other, in all parts of the world.
Sir, 2 particulars the Most Holy & Only Wise made vse
of to ingage (I hope & so doe the Commissioners) in earnest
to enter into those aforesaid engagements.
First, the sencc of their owne danger if they seperate
not from Plymmouth Indjans, & Phillip their desperate
head. This argument we set home vpon them, & the
Bays resolucion to jjursue Phillip (if neede be) & his
partakers with thouhsands of horse & foote, besjde the
other Colonies, &c.
2. Their great & vehement desire of justice vpon
Tatuphosuit, for the late killing of a Nahiggonset young
men [sic] of account with them, which point while we
were discoursing of, & thejr instance with me to write to
the Govcrnour & Coimcill of Massachusets about jt (which
I haue this morning done by thejr Commissioners) in comes
(as from Ileaucn) your dear son Major Wintrop to our
assistance, who aflirmed that he saw Tatuphosujt sent
bound to Hartford jaolc, & his father Onkas taking boat
with him. The Sachims sajd they knew it, & had written
about it (by my letter inclosed) to your selfe : but they
were informed that he was set free, & was keeping his
Nicommo, or dance in trjumph, &c. Your son replied
that either jt was not so, or if it were, it was according to
your law of leaving Indians to Indjan justice, which if
neglected you would then act, &c. In fine, their earnest
request was that ejther Tatuphosuit might haue impartiall
justice, (for many reasons) or els they might be permitted
304 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1675.
la^t night Caleb Cars boat (sent on purpose to Swansie for
tidings) brought word that Phillip had killd 12 English at
Swansie, (the same Canounicus told vs,) & that Phillip
sent 3 heads to them, but he advised a refusall of them,
which some say was done, only the old Queene rewarded
the bringers for thejr travell. Caleb Carr sajth allso that
one EngUsh sentinel was shot in the face & slain by an
Indjan that crei)t neer vnto him : that they haue burnt
about 12 howses, one new great one (Anthony lioes): that
Phillip hath left his place, being a neck, & 300 of Plym-
mouth English, Swansie & others know not where he js,
& therefore Capt. Oliuer (being at Mr. lirown's) rode post
to Boston for some hundreths of horse : that some hurt
they did about Providence, & some say John Scot, at Paw-
tucket ferry, is slaine. Indeede Canoimicus advised the
English to take heed of remajning in lone out places, &
of travelling in the common roade.
Sir, many wish that Plymmouth had left the Indjans
alone, at least not to put to death the 3 Indjans vpon one
Indjan's testimony, a thing which Phillip fears ; & that
your selues (at this juncture) could leave the Monhiggins
& Nahiggonsjcks to themselues as to Tatuphusoit, if there
could be any just way by your General Court found out for
the preuenting of their conjunction with Philip, which so
much concerneth the peace of New England. Vpon re-
quest of the Government of Plymmouth, Rode Hand hath
set out some sloops to attend Phillips motjons by water &
his canoes : jt is thought he bends for an escape to the
Inlands. Sir, I feare the inclosed & this will be grjevous to
those wonderfuU visiue spirits which looke out at your
windowes : mine, I am sure complain, &c, yet I presse them
for your & the publike sake, for why js our candle yet
burning, but to glorifie our dreadfuU Former, & in making
our owne calling & electjon sure, & serving God in serving
the publike in our generatjon.
Your vn worthy servant R. W.
1675.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 305
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHX WIXTIIROP, JR.
For my honoured kind frjtnd Mr, Jo: Winthorp Governour of
Conedicut Colony, at Boston or ehwherc, jtresent,
Leaue this at my loving friends Ban : Smith at Hehohoth.
PRO^^DENCE 18. 10. 75. (vt cuhjo,)
Sir, — If you are stjl in Boston (which owes you more
& your precious name, then jt js like to pay you) please
you to pass by, that I haue not troubled you with a late
salutation. The present revolutions of the wonderfuU &
all sighted wlieels (Ezek. 1.) rowse vp my slecpie spirits to
muse & write, & to present your selfe & others with what
I believe to be the mind & voyce of the Most Higli amongst
vs. Others thinck otherwise (& some clean contrary) ; vnto
whom I say at present, let them take the pahis which
God mercifully liath helpd me to take, to find out where's
the difference : let them suffer what (& so long) God hath
helpd me to beare for thejr beliefe & conscience : let them
debate freely, calmly, &c. as I hope God hath helped me
& will help me to doe, (without the Pope's sword, which
Christ commanded Peter to put vp in his matters.)
Sir, I haue heard that vou haue bene in late consulta-
cions, semper jdem^ semper padjicus, & I hope therein
beatus. You haue always bene noted foF tendernes
toward mens soules, especially for conscience sake to
God. You haue bene noted for tendernes toward the
bodjes & infirmities of poor mortalls. You haue bene
tender to, toward the estates of men in your civill steerage
of government, & toward the peace of the land, yea of
these A>jld savages. I presume you are satisfied in the
necessitie of these present hostilitjes, & that it is not possi-
ble at present to keepe peace with these barbarous men of
bloud, who are as justly to be repelld & subdued as wolues
30
306 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1675.
that assault the sheepe. It was » . . in . . . est . . .
rjum : * G od hath helpt yourselfe & other [^om] with won-
derful! selfe dcnyall & patience to keep of this necessitie.
But God (against whom only is no fighting) is pleased to
put this jron yoake vpon our necks, & (as he did with the
Canaanits) to harden them against Joshua to their de-
struction. I fear the euent of the justest war : but if jt
please God to deliuer them into our hands, I know you
will antiqum obtinere^ & still endeavour that our sword
may make a difference, & parcere subjecfjs^ though we
dehellare superbos. God killeth, dcstroyeth, plaugeth,
damncth none but those that will perish, & say (as these
barbaijans now say ) Nippittoj ; Thoug I die for jt, &c.
Sir, I hope the not approach of your deare son with his,
(your forces of Conecticut) &c., is only through the inter-
cepting of the posts : for wc haue now no passing by
Elizabeths Spring ♦ without a strong foote. God will haue
it so. Dear Sir, if we cannot save our patients, nor rela-
tions, nor Indians, nor English, oh let vs make sure to
sane the bjrd in our bozome, & to enter in that straight
dore & narrow way, which the Lord Jesus himselfe tells
vs, few there be that find jt. Sir, your vnworthy
R. W.
JOHN WINTHROP, JR., TO ROGER WILLIAMS.
Boston. Jan: 6: 1675
Honored Sir, — May these few hasty lines salute you
acceptably though only to certify the receiving of yours of
the 18 of the former, & to thank you for that kindnesse,
& that little volume of poetry therewith. Pictoribus atque
Poetis^ quod libet audendi^ semper fait aqua potestas. Some
present indisposition, & the rigorous season prohibits dis-
course about those particulars in your letter ; had leisure
* This sentence has been carefully erased. — Eds.
t See ante^ p. 298. — Eds.
1675.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 307
permitted, your paraphrase about that necessarie mentioned
in reference to the present juncture, as to those barbarians
might it not haue inlightened some darke comers, you
having the advantage of knowing the hidden contrivances,
confederances, actions & machinations of those brutish
salvages, well compared in your letter to ravening wolves
assaulting the sheepe : I shall only at present add my
loving respects to you both & remaine
Yours according to ancient friendship
Semper idem.^ J. W.*
ROGER WILLIAMS TO JOHN LEVERETT.
To the much honoured Oovernour Leveret at Boston present.
Providence 14 Jan. 75 (so calld)
Sir, — This night I was requested by Cap : Fenner
& other officers of our towne to take the examination &
confession of an English man who hath bene with the
Indians before & since the fight : his name is Joshua Tift f
& he was taken by Capt. Fenner this day at an Indian
howse halfe a mile from where Capt. Fenner's howse (now
burnd) did stand. Capt. Fenner & others of vs proposed
seuerall questions to him, which he answered, & I was
requested to write, which I did, & thought fit having this
bearer (Mr. Scot) brought by God's gracious hand of Pro-
vidence to mine, to present you with an extract of the pith
& substance of all he answered to vs.
* The above is a rough dranght in the hand of John Winthrop, jun., of Connecticut.
It is indorsed, " Copy to Mr. Koger Williams at Providence; " and was found enclosed in the
preceding letter. John Winthrop, jun., died in Boston, April 6, 1676, — about three months
after it was written. — Eds.
t lie was called a renegade, had married a W^ampanoag Indian woman, had adhered
to the Indians in this war, and was active in the great swamp fight He was executed
18th January, four days* after the date of this letter. A sorry account of him is given in
Hutchinson, i. 302, and in Hubbard's Present State, &c., p, 69. — Eds.
308 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1675.
He was askt by Capt. Fenner, how long he had bene
with the Nahigonsiks. lie answered about 27 days, more
or lesse.
He was demaunded how he came amongst them. He
sajd that he was at his farme a mile & halfe from Puttuck-
quomscut, where he hired an Indian to keepe his cattell,
himsclfe purposing to goe to Rode Hand, but that day
which he purposed & prepard to depart, there came to his
howse Nananawten^i (the young Sachim) his elder brother
Paupauquivwut, with thejr Captaine Quaquackis & a par-
tie of men, & told them he must die. He sajd that he beg'd
for his life, & promised he w^ould be servant to the Sachim
while he lived. He saith the Sachim then carjed him
along with him, hauing giuen him his life as his slaue.
He sajd that he brought him to thejr Fort, where was about
800 fighting men & about 200 howses. He sajd the In-
djans brought 5 of his cattell & killd them before his fiice :
so he was forct to be silent, but praid the Sacliim to spare
the rest : who answered him what will cattell now doe vou
good ; & the next day they sent for the rest & killd them
all, whereof 8 were his owne.
Being askt whether he was in the Fort in the fight,* he
saith yes, & wayted on his master the Sachim there, vntill
he was wounded (of which wound he lay 9 days & died.)
He sajth that all the Sachims were in the Fort & stajd 2
voUies of shot, & then they fled with his master, & passed
through a plaine, & rested by the side of a spruce swampe,
but he sajth himselfe had no arms at all. He saith that if
the Monhiggins & Pequts had bene true, they might haue
destroyed most of the Nahiggonsiks : but the Nahigon-
siks parlied with them in the beginning of the fight, so that
they promised to shoote high, which they did, & kild not
one Nahigonsik man, except against thejr wills.
• This was the "great X:irragai»«ctt swamp fight," in South Kingston, of 19th Decem-
ber previous. — Eds.
1675.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 309
He saith that when it was duskish, word was brought to
the Sachims that the English were retreated. Vpon this
they sent to the Fort to see what thejr loss was, where they
found 97 slaine & 48 wounded, beside what slaughter was
made in the howses & by the burning of the bowses, all of
which he sajth were burnt except 5 or 6 or thereabouts.
He sajth the Indians neuer came at the Fort more, that he
knows of. He sajth they found 5 or 6 English bodjes, &
from one of them a bag of about a 1/6 J of powder Vas
brought to the Sachims : and he sajth that abundance of
come, & provisions, & goods were burnt allso. He sajth
some powder belonging to the young Sachim, which was
in a box, was blown vp, but how much he can not tell.
He sajth the Nahigonsiks powder is (generally) gone &
spent, but Phillip hath sent them word that he will furnish
them enough from the French. He sajth they haue caried
N. Engl : money to the French for ammunition, but the
money he will not take, but beauer or wampam. He sajth
that the French haue sent Phillip a present, viz. a brass
gun & bandaljers sutable. He sajd allso that the Nahi-
gonsiks haue sent 2 baskets of wampam to the Mow-
hauks (Mauquawogs) where the French are, for their
favour & assistance.
He saith that the Sachims & people were about 10 mile
norwest from Mr. Smiths, whether the Cowwesets & Pum-
hom & his men brought to the Sachims all the powder
they could, but Caunonicus sajd jt was nothing, for they
had 400 guns (beside bows) and there was but enough for
euery gun a charge. The young Sachim sajd that had he
known thcv were no better furnished, he would haue bene
elswhere this winter.
He sajth that wliile they were in consultatjon, an Indjan
Squaw came in with a letter from the Gencrall. Some ad-
vised to send to PliilHp for one of his councellours to read
it, but at last they agreed to send a councellour to the Gen :
who brought word that the Gen: said that there had bene
310 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1675.
a small fight betweene them, & asked him how many
Indjans were slain, & how the Sachims liked jt. That he
desired the Sachims would show themselus men, & come
& parley with him : that if they feared they might bring
what guard they pleased, who might keepe at a distance
from ours, who should not oflFer them any affront, while the
Sachims were at the bowse with the Gen : from whom they
should depart in peace, if they came to no agreement
Their Councellours sajd that the English did this only in
policie to intrap the Sachims, as they had done Phillip
many times, who when he was in thejr hand made him
yield to what they pleased.
Nananawtenu (the young Sachim) sajd he would not
goe, but thought it best to vse policy, & to send word to
the Gen: that they would come to him 3 dayes after;
but Cawnounicus sajd that he was old, & would not lie to
the English now, & sajd if you will fight, fight ; for tis a
folly for me to fight any longer. The young prince said
he might goe to Mr. Smiths then, but there should neuer
an Indian goe with him. Thejr chief Captaine allso sajd
that he would not yield to the English so long as an Indjan
would stand with him. He sajd he had fought with Eng-
lish, & French, & Dutch, & Mowhauks, & feared none of
them, & sajd that if they yielded to the English they
should be dead men or slaues, & so worck for the
English. He sajth that this Quaquackis bears chiefe
sway, & is a midling thickset man, of a very stout, fierce
countenance.
Being asked whether he was present at this consultatjon,
he saith no ; but that Quaquackis acquainted the peoi)le
what the sum of the consultatjon was.
He sajth that Phillip is about Quawpaug, amongst a
great many rocks, by a swampeside : that the Nahigonsiks
haue bene these 3 days on thejr march & flight to Phillip :
that he knows not what number Phillip hath with him,
& that this day the last & the rear of the company departed :
that they heard the Gen: was pursuing after them, & there-
1675.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 311
fore seueral parties, to the number of 400, were ordred
to lie in ambuscadoes : that seueral parties were left be-
hind, to get & driue cattell after them: that the young
prince & chiefe capt : were in a howse 4 mile from Provi-
dence, where Capt: Fenner (with 15 or 16 of Providence,
seeking after cattell) tooke this Joshua Tift, who sajth that
the rest of the partie (about 41) were not far of, & toward
Pawtuxet.
[Beijng asked what was the English child which was
brought in to the Gen : he sajd that Pumhom's men had
taken jt at Warwick. Also he sajd that there is an Eng-
lish youth amongst them (his name he forgot : ) one that
speaks good Indjan, & was wounded & taken in the fight,
whom they spake of killing with torture, but he was yet
with Quawnepund.
Sir, you may suppose it to be now past midnight, & I am
to write forth the copie of this, to goe to-morrow to the
Gen : & therefore I dare not add my foolish comment, but
humbly beg to the Father of Mercies for his mercy sake to
guide you by his Councell (Psal. 73.) & afterward receaue
you vnto Glory.
Your most vnworthy R. W.
My humble respects presented to such honoured frjends
to whom your wisedome may thinck fit to communicate, &c.
Sir, Josh : Tift added that this company intend to stay ,
with Phillip till the snow melt, & then to divide into com-
panjes.
AUso that many of Ninicrafts men fough[t] the English
in the Fort, & 4 of the Monhiggins are now marcht away
with the Nahigonsiks.
Sir, since I am oft occasioned to write vpon the publike
busines, I shall be thanckfuU for a litle paper vpon the
publike account, being now neere destitute.
Sir, I pray present my humble respects to the Governour
Winthrop, & my thancks for his loving letters, to which I
cannot now make any retume.
312 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
LETTERS OF WILLIAM CODDIXGTON*
WILLIAM CODDINGTON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the Worship/ull and his much respected /rind John Winthrape
Esqr, at his hoicse in Boston j dd.
Worthy & beloued, — I liaue recaiiied your letter sent
by my Cozen Burt, in answer wher vnto I would not
haue yow troubled how to write vnto me, seeing at this
distance we knowe not how other waves to confer to
geather. Many loueing letters haue passed betweene vs,
at a fare greater distance of place then nowe we bee at.
Possibely yow mayconceiue of things deeper, or other wayes,
then ther is cause for. I doe intend to answer for my selfe
(by neighbors) I doe not knowe howe yow doe meane,
vnlesse it be the brethren that did rem one with me. It
may be they are better able to answer for themselues then
I am. I was sick when the measinger yow mention came
to the Hand, who said they had onely one Question to put
to me, which wos whither I did hould my selfe to stand a
member of the Church of Boston or not. I answered, to
• William Coddington, of Boston, Co. Lincoln, England, was chosen an Assistant of the
Massachusetts Company before the sailing of Wiuthrop's fleet, with which he came to Mas-
sachasett^. The next year he returned to England with Wilson and Sir Richard Saltonstill,
where he remained two years. Coming here again in 1G33, he became a resident of our
Boston; was one of the principal merchants of the place; and built here, it is said, the first
brick hou«o. lie also had a large estate at Braintree, now Quincy. He was Treasurer of the
Colony three years. Siding with the Antinomian party, ho left here in April, 1038, and be-
came one of the principal residents of Rhode Island; of which colony he was for some
years chief rongistntte. In his later years, he embraced the religious views of the Quakers.
In lfi74 was published a tract written by him, entitled " A Demonstration of Love unto
you the Rulers of the Colony of the Massachusetts," &c. — See Savage's (Jeneal. I)ict. ;
Young's Chron. of Mass. He died 1st November, 1678, aged seventy-seven. — Eds.
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 313
my best rememberance, to this efFecte, that the Question
was verv considerable, & needed niv best health to answer
to it, but for these grounds I did scrui)le it, viz : after
serous debate at 2 solomon meeting, in which very few of
the members wos wanting (to my best rememberance, & so
others afFerme allso) which meeting was first accationed by
the motion of one of the members nowe resident with you,
and as I toucke it in the name of others ; my selfe and Mr.
John Coggshall, being to geather at my howse, with some
other brethren, that wee two, & some others he mentioned,
would remoue, for their peace, & settelement, &c.* I did
inquire how that might be without offence, he said he
would procuer vs a church meeting, in which it should be
transacted. At the later, our teacher being out of the
towne when the former wos, it wos with the generall advice
& consent of all (as I take it) we were commended to the
grace of God in Christ Jesus in our remouall, & it wos the
substance of Mr. Cotton's sermonds the next Lord's Dav,
wher ther wos not Churches to commend their bretlu'en two,
ther they might commend them two the grace of God in
Christ Jesus ; f which I have related to some Elders &
brethren of other Churchs amongest your selus, as else
wher, some by word, others by writing, & though they
differ as I hauc to show, " 1 Elder savth it wos a dumbe ah a ninw
dismishon. 2 : Elder sayth it wos because most of them"**^°-
wos departed in their spirits then from the sents here. The
• The writer evidently is here recurring to events which took place prior to his
reiribvrtl from Boston. — Eds.
t Amoiiff the IIutchin«on Pnjjurs, ])ubHshe(l in the Massachusetts Ilistoricnl Collections,
is a curious letter from Joim C<ftton, in beiuilf of the Church at Boston, to Francis Hutch-
inson, "at Aciiuethnick," in answer to llie request of the latter *' to be recommended to the
word of God's jrnice; " in wliicli the Church decline consenting to his desire, " as wanting
warrant from Scripture light." We find in the records of the First Church the appoint-
ment of William Ilibbins, Capt. Eilward Gibbon, and Mr. John Oliver, as delegates to
inqnirc into the state of affairs at the Island, under date of the 10th of the 12th month,
163U. Capt. Robert Keayno, in his manuscript volume of notes of sermons by Cotton, &c.
gives an account of the result of tiicir mi:*sion, and of the perils encountered by the
messenger-^ on their journey, as relaterl by them to the Church, 1 mo: 16, 1640. See
2 Mass. Hist. Cull., x. Ib4; Winthrop's Hist, of N. £., i. 828, a2U. — Eds.
40
314 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
f3d Elder sayeth directly that it wos a dismishon, & that
your church had not further to doc," &c. And trewely I
would seriously moue this question, that if the Church
Covenant did rechc me, being remoued, vpon what grounds
they did first advise & motion my departuer, which must of
nessetye cutt of that relation.
For that place aleged by vow, !Mathew 18, it doth
remayne yet to be proued by scriptuer that any Church did
ever clame power over their brethren, remoued by then*
consent, more then over those that wos never in folio wshipe
with them. It wos tendered by Mr. Hibings, & accepted
by me, that some thing should be donn in this kind, but
I haue hard no thing of it as yet, I would therfore wish
my brethren knewe it, & that I wos not thus charged.
21y, I may to your selfe answer my dismishon out of
the Commonwealth, & when I wos departed the feare that
the cuntrie expressed, which stands vpon recourde in your
Court booke, that my selfe & others of vs wos gone out of
the way, (when wee went to seeke out a place for our
abod, & though I haue it to shew vnder your selfe & the
Governors hand that nowe is,* that I had a yeares libertye
for my remoueall) to escape onely the censer of the Courte
for the present, & therfore it was inacted that vnlesse we
were departed by such a tyme, we were to appcare at the
Courte. t For my owne part, I was not willing to Hue in
the fyer of contention with your selfe (& others whome I
honered in the Lord), haueing lined 7 yeares in place of
Goverment with yow ; but chose raythcr to Hue in exsile
& to put my selfe vpon a sudayne reniouall, vpon 14 dayes
tyme, to a place with out liowseing, chusoing rather to
fall in to the hand of God ; which what my selfe & wife
& famelve did induer in that remoueall, I wish nctlier vou
nor yours may ever bee put vnto. If after all this vnder
taken of my part for peace, we must clash, & make it
• Dudley. — Eds. f See Maw. Colonial Record?, i. 223. — Eds.
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 315
appeare in the C'hristan world, we that are as a citty set of
hill : (the will of our God be donn) I could wish for the
good of both plantations that it wos other waves, & muteall
loue & helpefullnes continued.
For the letters vou mention, thev haueiufi: said before
that they had onely one thing to propound to me, & not
profering me any leters, I might not possibely attend, being
sick, to what passed aboute them, as indeed I do not remem-
ber now, would thev that wos aboute me haue bene willinor,
yf they had profered me them, that I should then haue read
them, feareinp: it would doe me hurte. Sence mv recoverv
I haue desired a copy of them, & haue bene promised one.
The other thing you mention, conserning our vncurteous
entertayment of your Churcirs measingers, I have enquired
into it, & cannot vnderstand but that they were recaiued with
respect & curteousely entertayned at both plantations.
For the Indeans I could wish all lenetv towards them,
wliich vnderstand not possibely the natuer of a promise, they
save it was that if anv iniuerved the Enjjlish, thev would not
pro tec to them, but deliuer them vp to make satisefiiction
ether in their persons or estates. Ther is a hide fFelowe,
one Tho. Saverve, whom I hearc is now in durance with
yow, who liaucing stohie a paire of showes from my howse,
of the Lords day, & heareing it was discovered, fled from
the Ihind to the 7 mvlcs riuer. & ther beinsf afflicted in
consence, (as he pretended) for what he had donn, came
to acknowledge the evill of it, & giue satesefaction. I
susspected though he seemed to crye, he did but dissemble,
therforc searched him, & found of him a silver s['«'*m]
marked 1639, whicli he said he had had 6 veare, which
wos [ajboue 4 ycare before it wos mayd, allso a bugle
puree & a gould ringe, (which lie said he found, as thecfes
vse to fynd their goods) but wanting a prison he mayd an
escape from vs before punishmentt, aboute 5 weekes sence.
Lately I wos informed that at a place caled Puncataset,
vpou the mayne land, wher he keept the last sumcr, &
316 THE WINTIIROP TAPERS. [1640.
wos much frecquent in folowing, &c. lie liatli had a child
by an Indcan womou, which is a boy, & is not black-haired
lick the Indean children, but yelow haired as the English,
& the womon being laitely deliuered, doth say English man
got it, & some of them name him, & when he ranne away
from vs, he would at Titecute haue hue with Knowe Gods
mother, which doth speake of it in detestation, & that those
that professe them selus to be Christians should be more
barberous & wyld then Indeans, to the reproch of our
nation & the dishoner of God. Seing God hath deliuered
him into your hands, I thought meet to informe yow, that
yow might se justice donn of him. Thus with my due
respect to the Governor, your selfe, the Debty Governor,
Mr. Endecote, Mr. Humfreyes, Mr. Nowell, & Mr. Brad-
streete, &c, I sease from writeing, but not from remayne-
ing Your loueing frind till death
Wm. Coddington.
Newport this 22th of May 1640.
Ther is a hide person, one Hugh Durdall, that Mr.
Pamer brought in to the cuntrie, being bound over to
answer some misedemenour at the next Courte, hath mayd
escape awaye about 2 dayes sence, & is feared will git
passage in the West Indean shipe. He is much indebted
here also. Vale in Dom : Jesu,
Judorscd by Gov. Winthrop., '" Mr. Coddington, Resp. (1) 11, 10."
AVILLIAM CODDINGTON TO JOHN WINTIIROP.
To the Worship/ull & hw much respected frind John Winthrope
Esqr. at his howse in Boston, dd.
Per Mr, Jer. Oould.
Newport Aug. 2o, 1040.
WoRSHiPFi'LL & Beloued, — Your leter of the 11th
of the 4 mo. I recaiued. The substance of vour whole
leter to me falles into these 2 heads.
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 317
First will conserne your Cliurcli Covenant : this I alcged
in my former Ictcr as that which wos the princepale force
with me, which yow did not answer vnto, viz. That it doth
remayne to be proved by the rules of the gosple, that any
church ever clamed power over their brethren remoued,
more then over those that was never in fellowshipe with
them. Mr. Ilibings promised, & I accepted, that your church
covenant should be sent, with grounds to prove this pojute.
The other that vow answer tow, of the advice I had taken
with Elders & brethren in the poynt, & of the consent
of the maior part of the Church, was but subordenate to
this.
2 head of your leter doth trench vpon the passages,
concerning Mr. Weelewright^ banishment. What I did
ther in wos in discharge of my conscence in my place.
And trcwlcy, Sir, to my deserneing, whither yow did well or
I, depends of the trewth of the cause, the way of soulua-
tion, & cvidenceing therof, which Mr. Cotton & he af-
fermed, & the rest of the Elders opposed, which remajnes
yet controvered, for ought I knowe. I well approue of a
speech of one of note amongest yow, that we were in a
heate & chafed, & were all of vs to blame ; in our strife,
we had forgoten wee were brethren. Not further at this
present.
I wos advised by leter first out of the Baye that the
Governor, & the Deputy, & other of the magistrates had
adviced & incouraged the towne of Brantree to commence
a sute agincst me, after I recaiued a note from the Governor
that it wos for a promise. I knowe no thing of it, in
regard wher of I desu-c that the Plantiues may put in their
Complant in Answer, & that I may haue tyme giuen to
put in my defence, seing, for these reasons I haue aleged
to the (jovernor, & others, I cannot be free to come &
plead my cause, & seing it is according to what is practized
in our natiue land, & the courts of justice ther established.
I could wish that we, that haue lined 7 yeares in place of
318 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1643.
magistraccy to geather, might not multcplye greveanccs
one aginest an other; but I shall not ade further ther in.
I haue sent over the berer, Mr. Jer. Gould, who is desirous
to confere with your worship about it. The Xaragansets
& Xantequits keepe constant wach sence Conectecute men
touck 3 Xantequits. Ther be 12 notorious murder[er]s yet
litleinge, 4 at Nantequitc, & 8 of them at Mohegen, accord-
ing to my best intelegence, whose names I haue. The
Nanteqet5 would deliuer vp their 4, but they would haue
Ocas first deliuer vp his 8, that they may see its justice
the English seekes. With my loue & my wifes, presented
to your selfe & yours, I rest yours
Wm. Coddington.
Indorsf-d by Gov. Winthrop, " Mr. CtxlJington about the Church,
R_(6) 25,-40."
WILLIAM CODDK^GTOX TO JOUX AVIXTIIUOP.
HoNNORED Sir, — I doe thankefullv acknowlcd":e vour
loue vnto mee in your kind prefer to my agent, Mr. Jer.
Clarke, to return to me my runn away servant, Tho. Jonnes,
in case hee could haue bene found. I shall be readv to
bee commaunded by yow in the licke or wherin I mav
heare. Now deare Sir, for soe you haue bene to mee, as
Sollomon sayth, ther is a frind that [tra«erf] nearer then
a brother ! Oh, that the nearnes of that relation had never
bene vyolated. But wee are men, & so wee shew our-
selues. Some tvmes deifvins: of men & ordeuances,
other wlivle vvlefviri": of them. The TiOrd hath let mee
see the vanetye of my owne spirit, and need of attending
of him in all his ordeuances, but I cannot inlardge,*the
meassinger staying. My desire is, that that anchent loue
which much wattcrs cannot quench, may bee renewed,
& in token wherof, that yow would recaiuc, at my hands,
1047.) THE WINTIIROP PAPERS. {J19
a smale rememberauce therof, in a vessell of beefe, for
your winter provishon, which is not yet redy, but aginest
that tyme by some pinice that commeth this way, shall be
sent vnto yow. Though the thing bee not worth the men-
tioning betweene vs, yet because I remember your loueing
excusseing of your non-acceptance (of my prefer in this
kind att my departuer) so as it did not, norc doth not take
any imprcstion of vnkindnes with mee, & I hope that
which wos then a ground to yow is remoued, yet I desire
yow fully to satisefyc mee heare in, if it (or rather I)
may thus fare fynd acceptance with yow. Not other at
present, with the rememberauce of my loue & my wifcs to
your sclfe & yours, with all that remember vs, I rest
Your assuered lo : freind Wm. Coddington.
Newport, mo. 4. 12, 1G43.
WILLIAM CODDIXGTOX TO JOIIX WINTHROP, JR.
To the Worshipfull his much honnored /rind John Winthrope
Jar Esqr at his lilantation at Kaninicute, dd.
Per Tho. Stanton,
Worthy Sir, — ^ly best respectes from my selfc, as
allsoe my wifes, salute yow & yours. Sir, I recaiued yours
of the 17 of the present,, to which I answer I intend to
sell term ewes, most of them are as we calle them quinc
owes, bringes two at a tyme, & few of them ould. Two
ewes here in exchange ordenariely is giuen for a cowe, &
the trewth is one ewe is as much profitt to me as a cowe.
Nowe, Sir, my price to yow is, and vnder which I will not
sell them, for I cann haue more for them, 20// in siluer,
English monye, I desire, paid in the Baye the 20 or the 21
of June next, for then I haue accation to make vse of it,
and then I shall with in a weeke or tenn dayes after the
rccaite, deliuer tenn to Mr. Smyth of Newhaven, or whome
320 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1648,
yow appoynte, who is to bringe me two Cottscwell rambes,
& is to haue black ewes for them (in lifetcnant Gardners
shalupe) if yow take order with him accordingly, who is
abont that tyme to be heare, of the Island, in hope to
procuer some sheepe for Xcw haven. Now, Sir, my desire
is in the first place to pleasuer yow, & because I would
not be disappoynted to answer my accations in the Baye,
I desire your speedie answer with in 14 dayes or three
weeks, the souner the better, for I dennye Secounke men
till I heare from yow, & allsoe Newhaven & others. Ther
will be no sheepe let of the Island, & those that are let are
to the fowerths, for they do ordaneriely duble in a yeare, &
more, for the lambes haue lambes when they are a yeare
ould; for here is noe woollies of the Hand but one or 2,
that wos when yow were here. Thus expecting your
speedie answer, in hast, hast, I seasse from writeing, but
not from remayncing Yours ever
Wm. Coddington.
Newport, Rod Island, Aprill 20, 1647.
WILLIAM CODDINGTON TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
Sir, — I write vnto yow by Mr. Padye of Plimouth, who
did promise me to convaye it to you in his passage to the
Duch aboute a mounth sence, wherin I gave you notice that
I had recaiued yours of the 25 of August, & with it (ili
English, accounted at 6li I2s. & yow say 3//. tis. Spanish,
but William Lord left with Mr. Balstone but 3//, 5^. 6d. as
a note vnder Mr. Balstone hand will testifye. I desired
yow to send for the sheepe as speedelie as yow cann, & by
those that yow did send for them, to send me my note, which
vpon the sight of it I will make good the contents of it,
yow sending me 3 bills of exchange for 20// starlin, pay-
able to me or my assignes within 8 dayes after sight (on
1648.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 321
Mr. Fetters) & with them a letter of advise vnsealled, all
of your owne hand writeing, & take efFectuall order with
Mr. Fetters for the payment : the dammage will fall of yow
in case it be not payd, & the disappoyntment will be very
greate to me. Thus fare by Mr. Fadye, sence which I re-
caiued yours to the commishoners, which accordingly wos
convayed by Mr. Balston to Tanton, sence that Richard Ray-
ment hath informed me that yow had of him 7 lbs of
woole, which is lOs. 6d, which he hath payd himselfe for
on accompt with me. I desire yow to take order for the
payment. I shall sudenly leaue the Hand, & I much desire
yow will send for your sheepe. Mr. Throgmorton hath
sould his pinice, & ther is noe dependance of him. I am
for England by the next, (if the Lord will) and shall be
glad & redie to serve yow ther, & soe in hast, v^ith my
loueing salutations to your selfe & wife, & all yours, I
seace from writeing, but will ever rest
Yours Wm. Coddington.
Newport, this 31 of September 1648.
Fost Scriptum, October 5, 1648. Sir, I purposse yet to
continue about 20 dayes of the Hand, & would willingly
deliuer your sheepe before I depart. I desire yow take
specdie & efFectuall order according to the contents aboue
said. W. C.
WILLIAM CODDINGTON vs. WILLIAM DYRE.*
This 18 my Case against Dyre.
Before I went for England Dyre and I had severall
actions one against the other, & were to bee tryed the
next Court, & I being chosen Fresident, Dyre would not
• This paper, although signed by Coddington, is written by another hand, and was
probably drawn up by his attorney. — Eds.
41
322 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1648.
appeare, thereupon all his actions were non suited, &
judgement entered thereupon : after this I went for Eng-
land, & then the next yeare after, when there was a new
President chosen, then Dyre desires the Court to haue
proceedings against mee : there being no action now
depending, the Court grants him a writt of enquiry, upon
a non suit, where by law no such writt lieth ; this was
sent to the cheife officer of Newport, which was Mr.
Easton. Now if it had beene a writt legally granted, then
the cheife officer of the towne should haue sent out a
distringas^ & distraine the Defendants cattle to make him
appeare, as the law was then, wherein he ought to haue
walked : but contrarywise he proceeds to enquire of
damages against mee, directly, besides the rules of justice ;
so as it was illegally obtained ; so it was as illegally pro-
ceeded in, & thereupon ten head of my great cattle was
taken from mee, vi et armis^ that is, against the law. For
these wrongs therefore before specified, I brought my
action & declared against him, that hee came upon my
ground at Rocky farme, & tooke away ten head of great
cattle of mine, & converts them to his owne use : to this, if
he would haue made his proceedings good by law, he
should haue pleaded justificacion, & haue given the speciall
matter in evidence, but hee well knowing hee could not
justifie his proceedings, pleads the generall issue, that is,
that hee is not guilty to all : now if I proue him guilty of
any one point of the issue, the vurdict is for mee. Now
obserue, there is three points of the issue. The first is,
that he came upon my ground ; the second is, that he tooke
away my cattle ; the third is, that hee converted them to
his owne use. The first point I proved. The 2d. point
there was some doubt, whether he did driue the cattle or
no : the witnes could not say, that he did driue them, but
hee went with them, and the cattle before him : this is
proved. The third point of the issue was cleerely proved
that is, that hee converted them to his owne use : for some
1648.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 323
of tliem liee sold to John Rome, & some to Cowdall to pay
for the building of his great house. Now some of the
Councell said, because I did not proue that hee did driue
the cattle, hee was but an accessary & not a principell.
Now this being some doubt with the jury, whether hee were
a principell or an accessary, they deliver in a privy or
speciall vurdict, & matter of law ariseing out of matter of
fact, it rests with the Judge to determine. Now the Judge
determines the vurdict for the plaintife: & shews the
case thus, that in all offences of the highest nature, &
of the lowest nature, there is no accessaries but all princi-
ples: in offences of the highest nature, as treason, it is
Crimen Lcesa: Mnjestatis : in the lowest nature, as trespass-
es, rouls & riots, & the like, it is Vi et armis : that this is
law, you may see the case in the Mirrour of Justices: like-
wise, if a man command another to doc a trespasse, &
hee doth it ; he that commands the trespasse to bee donne,
is guilty of the trespasse : see Doctor & Student for this :
therefore you may see in the eye of the law Dyrc is a prin-
ciple in driueing away my cattle from my ground: but
whether hee did driue them or not driue them, it matters
not, for that is not the principell point of the issue : but
that hee did convert them to his owne use : & that is no-
toriously knowne ; & if I had taken them by force from
him, as hee tookc them by force from mec, I might well
haue donne it, & hee had had no cause to complaine.
But there they object, & say that I made my Atturney my
Judge, & that hath an ill savour with it of partiality: to
which I answer; that I did so, that is true; but I was
necessitated so to doe ; for none of my councell would sitt
in my cause, but did wholly refuse mee in it. I thinke the
like practise hath not bcene heard, that not all of them
together, nor any one of them apart, would sit to deter-
mine the cause : so that either I must sit judge in mine owne
cause, or else it must fall to ground. Doe not they shew
more mallice & partiality against mee, in denying mee this
324 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1648.
justice, then T did in making my attumey the judge ? & did
what lay in them to frustrate mee of my right. But con-
sider a little, what great matter there is in it, if it bee put
into the right scale of an impartiall judgement ; weighing
all things together as they were. In the first place, con-
sider, that hee was not a judge, as an attumey. While he
was in the office of an attoumey, its like hee would speake
what hee could in the cause for his fee : but being taken
from that place, & made a judge, where there is no fee due
for the execution of his office : why should it bee thought,
that hee should not bee as upright & impartiall in the
cause, as any other man? I know no reason that can bee
shewed. But it may be some will object & say, yes, he
may be more partiall then another, in regared hee pleaded
the cause : therfore for his credit sake, he might determine
the vurdict for mee : to which I answer, if he haue donne
so, then his partiality will appeare in the thing. Now let
all indifferent minds read the vurdict before specified, &
then let the wise judge, what partiality is in it, that is so
much complained of, & made such an odium to all. I
wish that he that thinkes himselfe the most righteous judge
amongst you, doe not shew more partiality in other mens
causes, then hee hath donne in this. This is as it was
drawne vp for the satisefaction of some, & soe I send it to
yOW. WiLLM. CODDINGTON.
I had a vurdict of 100/t, but his estaite wos so convaied
& consealed, his cattell sent into the Baye, that I could not
find 50/i worth.
1635.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 325
LETTERS OF EDWARD HOPKINS .♦
EDWARD HOPKINS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To the Worshipfull his much respected freind Jno. Winthropp the
younger, Esqr, att Boston or elsewhere in the Massechusetts Bay
in New Emjland, or in his absence to the WorshipfuU Jno. Win-
throj)p the elder att Boston aforesaid.
Per the shipp Batchler whom Cfod preserve.
London the 16^' of August, 1635.
Mr. Jno. Wintropp.
Sir, — My best respects premised &c., you may please to
vnderstand I haue now cleared of from hence the North
Sea Boatt,t in whom (God sending her to you in safety,)
you shall receave these particulars following
Cwt. qr. lb.
14 piggs of Lead, weighing 40 0 22
80 barrs of Spanish Iron, weight 20 2 19
52 barrs English Iron, weight 20 2 19
20 hoggshedds of Meale, No 1 1 to 30
14 barrells of Pease, No 1, 2, 4, 5 to 15.
A Barrell of Oatcmeale, No. 16.
• Kflwjird Hopkins arrived at Boston, in company with Gov. Eaton and John Davenport,
in Jane, 1637. lie went to Hartford soon after; was chosen Assistant in 1639, and Governor
next year, and thereafter in alternate years with John Hayne^, till he returned to England
in 1052 ; and, while there, — probably through hope of his coining back, — he appears to
have been chosen again in 1064. Arriving in England, ** he was soon made a member of
Oliver's Parliament, and a Commissioner of the Navy; made his will 17th March, 1657 ; and
died soon, in his fifty-eighth year." — Savage^s Geneal. Did.] and Winthi'cp's Hist, of N, Eng-
land, i. 22H, 229. — Eds.
t Winthrop, i. 173, in noticing the arrival of this vessel at Boston, under date of 28th
October, calls it " a small Nortey bark, of twenty-five tons." He probably intended
" Norsey" (or as the original manuscript, to our eyes, reads, "Norsye") for an abbrevia-
tion of *' North Sea; " but, by his awkward way of expressing it, has hitherto puzzled his
aunotators. — Eds.
/
326 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1635.
A Barrel! of Butter, No. B. and 6 frrkins of Butter, No. 1 to 6.
4 hoggsheds and 5 barrells of Iron ware, the particulars I send you
hereinclosed.
A Bundle of Sythes, cont. 3 dozen.
2 Bundles of Shovells and Spa<les.
A packe of Linnen Cloth, No. A. cont. 320 ells of Roane Canvas for
sheetts, being 13 pieces, and one piece of narrower (doth cont. 87 ells.
8 flocke Beds, 25 Ruggs and 40 Blanketts.
6 Grindstones.
3 Barrells of Pitch & 2 Barrells of Tarr.
4 Sownes and one barrell of Iron things that came from Holland, the
particulars I haue nott yett receaved, it is marked R. S.
2 small Cables for shallops, weighing 3 cwt. 1 qr. 6 lb. & 2 cwt. 0. 11 lb
of lesser cordage.
Iron worke for 2 draw Bruhjrs^ as follows.
62 Staples.
40 Staple hooks for a portcullis.
4 Chaines.
10 Boults.
4 Plates.
8 Chaine Claspes.
4 vnder Hinges.
23J yards of redd flagg stuffe for Serieant Gardeners vse, & some small
lines that came from Holland, & a wheelebarrow.
I iiiteiided to haue laden much more in this vesscll, and
had putt aboard other things, but was forced to take them
out againe, by reason she was too much postered,* butt
what is wanting now you shall have per the True Loue,
Mr. Gibbs, who willbe ready I hope to sett saile within
14 or 20 dayes, in whom such servants as are provided by
the gentlemen are to be shipped, butt what their nomber
willbe I yett know nott.
I herewith also send you the particulars of the furniture
of this barque, the Bachlcr, that you may know what to
require from the master. There are some small things, as
dishes and such like, belonging to her, nott here mentioned,
• Kncumbercd. — Eds.
1635.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 327
butt the tilings omitted are of noe great value. I haue
hired the master and all the men (whose names and wages
I shall afterwards expresse,) eyther to remayne in the
cuntrey to saile the barque there, or to be returned home
in some other shipp, as you shall find most convenient.
I cannott say much for master nor men, to incourage you
to keepe them the[re] yf you can provide your selfe of
others that are fitting for the imployment. It was nott easy
here to gett any att this tyme, to goe in soe small a vessell,
and therefore I was forced to take some, that otherwise
I would nott haue medled withall. The master is able
enough, but savours nott godlinesse, yett hath a desire, as he
tells me, to continue in the cuntrey. Yf you keepe them
there, I have vnder taken they shall haue their wages paid
them att 6 monthes end from their clearing att Gravesend,
butt for my owne part I rather incline to haue them
sent home ; and yf you determine this, the sooner you
doe itt the better, for they willbe in pay vntill their arivall
here. Yf the shipps that goe from thence want any men,
you may happily gett some allowance for them, whcrby
the charge may be somewhat abated. Butt it is left to your
discretion to doe herein as you shall iudge most advanta-
geous to the Company. Serieant Gardener and Wm. Job
his workemaster, with the Serieants wiefe and his mayd,
come over in this barque. Yf you require it of them
both Gardener & Job can shew you their covenants with
the Company, whereby you may in part perceave what to
require of them, and what to performe to them : they are
all to be att the Companies charge for matter of diett.
The Serieant hath receaved of me beforehand, towards his
first yeares wages, 30/ sterlinge, & Wm. Job hath receaved
15/, the master also of the barque hath receaved 8/ before-
hand, towards his wages, all which you are to deduct, when
you pay them any more.
The wages to be paid the Master and his company are
as follows.
328 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1635.
£ M. d.
To Jno. "Webber, Mr. of the Barque . . . 4, 10 0 per month.
To Bic. Baker, Master's Mate 2, 00 0 per moneth.
To Jno. Brikin, Carpenter 1,110 per moneth.
To Jno. Sherlocke 1,60 per mo.
To Jno. Harman 1,50 per mo.
To Jno. Hall 1,20 per mo.
To Robt. Sherley • . 1, 0 0 per mo.
To the boy 0, 12 0 per mo.
The charge att present for soe small a vessell is very
great, but I hope (God sending her thither in safety) shee
may be sayled with fewer men, whereby the charge willbe
lessned. I haue given to the master of the Barque 5/ star-
ling to pay the men their halfe pay att Gravesend, which
willbe onely for one weeke, and to disburse otherwaies
as the occations of the shipp shall require, he is to giue
you an account of the disbursing of the same, and what
shall nott be layd out, to deliver to you. Soe nott having
elce att present, I take my leave, resting
Yours in what I may Edward Hopkins.
Att my comming to Gravesend to cleare of the shipp
there, 4 of the mariners, vizt. Brikin, Sherlocke, Harman,
& Hall, came to me and tould me they would nott goe the
voyage, vnlesse they might be free vppon arivall of the shipp
there, to dispose of themselves to any other imployment,
and hau[e] their wages paid them att the discharge of the
shipp. Whereuppon, being putt to some streights, I was in
a manner constrayned to yeeld to their desires, and vppon
second thoughts I conceave to noe disadvantage to us, as
you may perceave per the inclosed agreement, the originall
whereof, vnder their hands, I haue given the master, that
if they putt into the West Cuntrey, and offer to leave the
shipp, he may haue something to shew to constraine them
to the contrary, for now you are left free from taking any
care to send these backe to England, and they are bound
nottwithstanding, yf you offer them as much wages as
1635.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 329
others doe, to serve you yf you stand in nead of tliem,
which yett I hope you will nott ; the master, his mate, one
mariner & the boy sticking to the former agreement, who
with small helpe more willbe able, I conceave, to saile the
barque in the cuntrey. You may perceave per the agree-
ment, that I haue paid 305 to these men in part of their
w^ages before hand.
Yours as before Edw. Hopkins.
189 August, 103o.
EDWAllD HOPKINS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his icoiiliy frcind Mr. Jno, Winthropp the younger Esqr.
London the 21th of September 1635.
Mr. Jno. Winthrop.
Sir, — My best respects premised &c. I herewith send
you both a copy of my letter sent per the Bachlcr, wherby
you may perceave what was laden aboard her, as also a
particular of whatt I haue laden aboard this shipp, the
True Loue, together with a bill of lading for the same, soe
that I sIuiU nott nead to adde much more for advise att
present, onely you may please to know that the hoggshedds
of mcale now sent, from No. 11 to 30, are somewhat better
tlien evthcr those 20 in the Bachler, or the other 10 aboard
this shipp ; also of the 2 nindletts of oile, No. A is the
best; of the barrells of powder. No. 41 and 42 are fine
powder for musketts and fowling, the rest is for the ordi-
nance. All the irons for the cariages are nott all yett fully
fitted, but whatt is now wanting shall come per the first att
spring, which I conceave willbe as soone as any vse will be
made of them: there is besides the bedds that are packt vpp, a
dozen bedds and a dozen of coverletts, putt aboard for the
vse of the servants in the shipp. Mr. Gibbs hath also a
new cable or hawser weighing 4 c. 3 q. 5 lb., which, after it
42
330 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1635.
hath bcene vsed in taking the ordinance out of the shipp,
he is to dcUver to you. There is also 2 drumms and 4 or 5
trunks with the serv^ants apparell in them, which are nott
inchided in the bills of lading. Butt Edward Bushell cann
tell you what they are, as also the particulars contayned in
them.
I likewise herewith send you a list of the servants' names
that are now shipt. Edward Bushell hath all their cove-
nants. They are bound, some to Mr. Ny, some to my selfe,
& some to Edward Bushell, butt wee assigne them all over
to you. I will write noe more concerning them, butt will
referr my selfe to their advise, who vndertooke the providing
of them. I had as great care as I could in the provisions
now sent. I hope they willbe answerable to cxpectacion.
The irons for cariages No. 36, 37, & the 2 hoggsheds of
woodden ware No. 50, 51, are packt vp in malt. I send
noe cheese, because you seemed to haue noe desire to itt.
Soe nott having elce att present, I take my leave resting
Yours to commaund Edw. Hopkins.
Edward Bushell was imployed by Mr. Ny in buying some
things for the servants, & att making vp of account with
him, I find we are indebted to him 3/, which he desires to
haue in the cuntrey.
More he saith he hath laid out, in these dccations, of
which he can give noe account at present, about 4/, besides
some tooles he bought, the prise whereof he remembers
nott; butt he is honest, and will doe noe wronge.
Indorsed by J. Winthrop, Jr.
Plaster of tarras.
Plaster of Pareis.
8 bills of exchange of 30/i to bo payde to Rich : Baker.
Drummes : silke ancients, trumpets. &c.
I
!
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 331
EDWARD HOPKINS TO JOHN WINTHROP. JR.
London the 24th of Sept. 1635.
Sir, — I wrott you per this conveyance of the 21th
present, and sent you the particulars of what I laded aboard
this shipp. I haue nott any more to add att present, but
onely to convey the inclosed, which I hope may meett or
ouertake the shipp in the Downes.
I desire you willbe pleased (yf opportunity serve) to give
notice per the first, of the receipt of these things, and to
advise whatt supplyes you shall stand in nead of att spring ;
for I hope by that tyme, the gentlemen's stocke willbe
increased, and they therby better inabled to afFo:ird such
accoramodacions as shallbe necessary for the furthering of
the businesse then now they were, for I know through
streights of tyme and meanes, many things are now omitted,
which the state of the Plantacion will soone call for. Soe
nott having elce att present, with my best respects to you
and yours, desiring the same may be presented to Mr.
Peter, I take my leave, resting
Yours in what I may Edward Hopkins.
EDWARD HOPKINS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To the WorsIdpfuU his much respected freind John Winthropp the
younger J att Boston or elcewJiere in New England, dd.
Sir, — My last was per the Peter Bonadventure, wherin
I gave you notice what goodes I had laden aboard that
shipp, consigned to you, to witt, 2 hoggshedds, wherein are
irons for cariages, 20 hoggshedds of meale, 8 hoggshedds
of oatmeale, and 8 hoggshedds of pease. Att present
you may please to vnderstand, I have put aboard this
shipp, the Phillip, 4 small pieces of ordinance, which
332 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
were bought by Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Fenwicke in
Holland, and 4 cariages to them, as per the bills of lading
inclosed you may perceave. I have also laden aboard
another shipp, which may be ready in 14 dayes, 10 hoggs-
hedds of oatmeale, which I was incouraged to buy, in
regard I had it above a shilling in a bushell cheaper then
the markett. But of this I shall write you more per that
shipp. In the meane tyme, with my best respects to your
selfe, I rest
Yours in what I may Edw. Hopkins.
London, the 22th June, 1636.
EDWARD HOPKINS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To the Warship/ull his much respected freind Jno, Winthrop the
younger Esqr ait Boston in New Emjlandj dd.
Per the Wm, & John.
Sir, — My best respects premised &c. My last was per
the Peter Bonadventure, in which shipp I laded and con-
signed to you, 42 hoggshedds of severall comraodityes, the
particulars I then advised, to which I desire to be
referred. Att present you may please to vnderstand I
have laden aboard this shipp the Wm. and Jno. 10 hoggs-
hedds of oatmeale more, (which I gave you some intima-
cion of then) as per the inclosed bill of lading, you may
perceave. I mctt with this parcell vppon reasonable
tearmes, otherwise I should not have gone soe farr in dis-
bursements for that account, being out of cash for it. I
had thought when I made the former provitions, that a
farr greater summe of mony would have been sent in,
according to promise, otherwise I would have disposed of
that which came to my hands somewhat different from
what I did, and have disbursed part of it in provitions of
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 333
other kinds, but I lived in a dayly expectacion of more
supply, which fayled me hitherto, and now the sicknesse *
comming into the citty, hath scattered the interested
into scverall parts, soe that I much question whether
any more willbe sent this yeare. Since the former men-
tioned by the Peter, I wrott you breefly per Mr. Babb, by
whom I sent you 3 small pieces of ordinance, and cariages
to them. I am now bringing my owne occations to a head,
and intend (God willing) the first of the next spring to come
away : I have not clce att present to inlarge, but will take
leave & rest Yours in what I can Edw. Hopkins.
July the 14th 1636.
Indorsed by J. Wintlirop, Jr., " Mr. Hopkins from England, 1636."
EDWARD HOPKINS TO JOHN WINTHROP.
7h the Worshipfall his mudi resj^ecfed freind Jno. Winthroppc
Esq : aft his house in Boston^ dd.
Hartford the 25® of 79 1640.
Sir, — There was about 9 weeks since a suspitious fel-
low came into these parts, whom wee then examined, and
tooke order for his forthcoming, when we should heare
further concerning him. Since which wee haue vnderstood
from Mr. Hatherley that he is a servant of his, and ran
away from him. He desires he might be sent backe and
directed to your selfe, which accordingly I haue now done.
The mony which he hath earned since his coming into
these parts, hath beene for the most part layd out by him in
apparrell, which he hath with him ; the rest I conceaue
will scarcely suffice to pay for his passage.
* The pliigue, of which above ten thousand persons died in London in 1686. — Eds.
334 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [164G.
I haue by the same pinnace also sent a small bundle of
apparell and a white hatt, which belongs to two boyes
of Mr. Thomas, who were returned backe to him. I pray
you be pleased either to giue him some notice of it, that
he may send for it, or to cause it to be sent to Mr. Bradford
att Plymouth.
I shall not trouble you further att present, but with
remembrance of my best respects to your selfe and our
other freinds there, doe take my leaue, resting
Yours in what I may Edwa. Hopkins.
EDWARD HOPKINS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his much respected freindJno, Winthrop Esqr, att Nameocke, dd.
Sir, — This Indyan informes mee that Wequash Cooks
brother tooke from him and his aunt severall things, as an
otter skyn, 2^. 6(/. in wampam, powder & buUctts, and a
home, 1 greatt buckskynn and two doe skynns, two treyes,
7 bushell Indyan come, 2 bushell of sweet come, & 2 bush-
ell of beanes. He affirmes the onely reason pretended was
because his aunt left her dwellinge att Pacotucke, and
went to Mogekin, which was her owne cuntrey. I pray
you doe what you may that the things be restored. He dwelt
severall yeares with the English, and I vnderstand not but
that he carryed himselfe well ; and he hath now ingaged
himselfe to mee, to line with mee 3 yeares, seeming to be
willing to learne to read, and to be acquainted with the
things of God, which I would further. I remember
the barrell of tarre, and leaue order that one be sent
downe by the first, being this next second day, vppon a
jomey for Fairefeeld, Some other complaints are con-
tinued about Sanhopp for some rude carriage of his, and
resolucion to plant att Neanticutt. I doubt yf he doe soe.
1647.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 335
and yett remayne in his contests with Vncus, peace will
not be preserued. I shall add noe more but my loving
respects to your selfe & to Mrs. Winthropp, and soe take
leaue, restinge
Your assured freind Edwa: Hopkins.
Hartford, the 20th of March, 1646.
EDWARD HOPKINS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
S^^\ — I haue receaued yours of the 2d present per this
bearer, as also that of the 31th past from Thomas Staun-
ton. In answere wherevnto (the chiefe contents of both
tending to one and the same purpose) you may please to
know, thatt the meeting of the Commissioners is concluded
to be att Boston, for the place, and the 26th of the 5th
mo., comonly called July, for the tyme, butt how safe itt
may be for all the Indyans in the cuntrey to be acquainted
with the direct tyme of our travelling through the cuntrey,
I leaue to your wisdome to consider. I haue spoken to
Thomas Staunton to accompany us thither, as an interpret-
er, and hope to prevayle (as was desired by your father)
and could heartily wish that Benedict Arnold may also be
procured, wherby all suspitions of mistake may be removed,
wherto I doubt wee are very subject in our transactions
with Indyans. Thomas Staunton informed mee that you
haue a purpose of a jorney or voyage for the Manhattos.
Mr. Whiting is bound shortly for Delaware, in order where-
vnto he hopes to be att Sea Brooke the middle of the next
weeke, or 10th present. If you please to meett him there
he willbe very glad of your company. Mr. Whiting
hopes to returne before the meeting of the Commissioners,
for he is chosen for one of ours. Yf he be prevented
other supply must be made. I thanke you for the water
i
336 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1647.
you sent It hath beene taken one tume already, according
to your direction, and after the intermission prescribed is
now to be taken againe. She receaues it willingly as
is desired. As yett I perceaue nott any alteracion in her,
butt wayt vppon Him who can onely giue a blessinge.*
With the re tume of my respects to your selfe and Mrs.
Winthropp, with the like from Mrs. Elyza. Fenwicke, I take
my leaue, restinge Yours assuredly in that I may
Edwa: Hopkins.
Hartford the 5th May [?] 1647.
EDWARD HOPKINS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
lb his much respected /reind Jno. Winthropp Esqr. att Nameocke
dlr.
Sir, — I haue beene att Nameocke where I expected to
haue mett you, but it seemes your occations detayne you
in the Bay. I perceaue it is not without nead that some
government be settled in the place, and our Court desires
your assistance therein, as you will vnderstand per the in-
closed. I putt of the issueing of some differences there
vntill your returne, when I shall, yf nead be, and that the
tyme of yeare will permitt, willingely come over againe
thither, and then in presence returne you thanks for the
entertainment I found att your house, where I was bould
to take vp my harbour. I swore a constable there (Carey
Latham) who might present (and soe I hope prevent) dis-
orders. I shall be very glad to see you att Hartford when
your occations will permitt, where you shallbe truly wel-
come to him who is
Your assured freind Edwa: Hopkins.
Sea Brooke the 11th of Novr. 1G47.
• Hopkins pn>biibly alluiies here to the mental <Iisorder of his wife (Ann Yale), who
8urvivc«l him for many yo:ir*, and died Dec. 17, 1698, having been insane for more than
half a century. See an extract from his will in a note to Winthrop's Hist, of X. E., i. 228-
230. — Ki)8.
1648.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 337
EDWARD HOPKINS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To the Worship/ull his much respected freind John Winthropp
Esqr, att his house ait Nameocke dd.
Sir, — I thought good to acquaint you with the deter-
minacion of the Commissioners concerning those Pequotts
that reside neare your Plantacion, which I cannot better
doe then by transcribing the record of the last meeting, so
farre as concernes that particular.*
Whereas by order of the Commissioners the last yeare,
it was provided that the Pequotts residing neare to the
English Plantacion setled att Nameocke should returne to
their former subiection to Vncus, which was made knowne
and signifyed to them both by the Commissioners them-
selues att Boston, and by Mr. Hopkins afterwards att
Pequott, but noe conformity hath beene hitherto yeelded
therevnto by them. It was thought fitt and concluded that
Mr. John Winthropp be informed of the continued resolu-
cions of the Commissioners for their returne, and desired
to further the same. But in case a ready attendalice be
not forthwith yeelded herevnto, Vncus shall haue order and
liberty by constraint to enforce them. And it is desired
that the Government of Conecticutt will provide that he
be not therein opposed by any English, nor the Pequotts
or any of theirs harbored or sheltred in any of their bowses,
whilst noe just offence is given them, by him or any of
his, in their proper concernments.
I haue not yet acquainted Vncus herewith, but yf there
be a refusall in them to attend & obserue the contents of
the order, I must leaue him to the liberty given him.
I vnderstand that Ninigrett pretends a graunt from the
Commissioners to hunt in the Pequott cuntrey, which cer-
* See Acta of the Commissioners, in Piym. Col. Records, ix. 111. — Edb.
43
338 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1648.
tainly was never yeelded, but yf it were, his non perform-
ance of Covenants, and treacherous designes, make him
(att least as yett) vncapable of receaving favours or incour-
agenients from any who loue the peace of the Colonyes.
I hope therefore you will not intereste your selfe in any
such wayes of his, which I conceaue canott but be ofFen-
siue to all the Comissioners, who haue beene fully ac-
quainted with his insolencyes. I shall not add further att
present, but with remembrance of my due respects to your
selfe and yours, take my leaue and rest
Your assured loving freind Edwa. Hopkins.
Hartford the 1« of Novr. 1648.
EDWARD HOPKINS TO JOHN MASON.
Capt: Mason, — The Commissioners for the Colonies,
at their last meeting at Plimouth, expressed their continued
resolutions for the retume of the Pequotts, that at present
reside at Nameag, to their former subiection to Vncus,
whereof I was, by their order & direction, to acquaint Mr.
Winthrop, which accordingly I have done, but doe not yet
vnderstand that any attendance is yet given to the Commis-
sioners order by the said Pequotts. I must therefore in
prosecution of the charge committed to me, give A'ncus
leave by violence & constraint to enforce them, but to
prevent any inconvenience that may happen betwixt the
English & him, my desire is that you will take care that
[three] or foure of the planters at Scabrooke may be
sent to Nameag, when Vncus is about that service, who
may both direct him in his way, & be witnesses of all the
proceedings. It was desired by the Commissioners, that
we would ])rovide that the English there inhabiting doe
not receive any of the Indians or any of their goods, into
1648.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 339
their houses, nor any way hinder Vncus in the prosecution
of his order of the Commissioners, which I desire they
may be fully acquainted with, and required duly to attend.
And also that charge be given to Vncus that he noe waies
disturbe the English or preiudice them in any of their con-
cernements, and that vpon the returne of the Pequotts to
him he doe not rule over them with rigor, or in a tiranicall
manner, but so as they may have noe just occasion to com-
plaine. If your occasions will permitt you to goe thither,
& se these things eflFected, it wilbe more satisfactory.
I shall not adde further but rest,
Your assured freind Edwa. Hopkins.
21th of Nov: 1648.
Indorsed, " Copy of Captnine Mason's Comnnission about the Nam :
Indians."
EDWARD HOPKINS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his much respected freind Jno. Winihrop, Esqr, att his house
att Nameocke, dd.
Hartford, the 3d. of March, 1648.
Sir, — I desire with thankfulnesse to acknowledge the
respects and loue I receavcd from you att my late being
with you, and shall heartily rejoyce yf the God of loue
and peace be pleased to lay such foundacions in your
beginings there, and soe frame all hearts that he may
delight to dwell among us, and not. despise our day of
small things. I rcceaved yours by this Indyan, of the
27th past. Tantonimo hath not beene with me since my
returne home, but I heare he lurks about, and sends his
spies to vnderstand how things are taken, that yf danger
appeare he may escape it by flight. I haue not yett, by
any expressions to any, abated of the manifestacion of that
340 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1648.
reall distrust I tooke att his vile carriage in your house,
and though it be true the testimony given in is not soe
cleare but that possibly it might be accidentall, yett I
know their pride and insolency is such that I shall
endeavour to make him stoope, but will lett him know
your respects to him, and whatt is abated shallbe as on
your request, that he may ly vnder ingagements to your
love, which may be of some use. I have looked vppon
him as one of [the] fairest that I haue had to doe withall,
but would not be partiall to any, nor suffer such things to
be past over lightly, I haue acquainted our magistrats
(who were together when I receaved yours) with the desire
of your townsmen for the name of that place,* who doe
conccave the Generall Court, to whom such things apper-
taine, will readily satisfy your desires therein : all that hath
any appearance for an objection is onely least it should
seeme to looke too high, the planters att Quillipiacke
havinge forborne that name onely in that respect.
I vnderstand Mr. Tho : Lake is come to New Haven and
gone to Stamford, where his freind is with her sister ; but
how he came from the Bay, or how long vppon the voyage,
I vnderstand not. There is noe newes att all come from
him, which makes mce conceaue he came out before the
ship arived out of England. Before my coming to you
a messinger went hence into the Bay with letters, who
was presently to retume, but wee heare nothing of him as
yett, which causeth some feares that he is not safe. I
haue not more to trouble you with att present ; hoping you
will lett us inioy your company att the Court of Election
the third thursday in May, and yf eyther then or any other
tyme, you will please to bring Mres Winthrop and Mrcs
Lake with you, to whom I desire to be remembred, with
• The writer here refers to the desire of the inhftbitnnts of *' Peqnit Plantntion," ex-
pressed Feb. 22, 1648-9, ** that the plautiition may bo called London/' — Cauikins's Mtt.
of y. Londun^ p. 59. — Eds.
1648.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 341
the retiirne of many thanks for their lone, I shall be
heartily glad to see them with yon att my poore honse,
where yon shall be trnly welcome after onr conrse man-
ner, and I shall alwayes desire to subscribe my selfe
Yonrs in what I may Edwa : Hopkins.
EDWARD HOPKINS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his Honoured frtind Jno. Winthrop Esqr ait his house att
Nameocke dd.
Hartford the 20th of March 1648.
Sir, — It is not soe strange to meet with reports from
Indyans of an vncouth nature, as it is difficult to find out
& vnderstand the depth of their contriuements in their
vnderhand workings. I am not forward to beleeve what
they represent, though with some appearance of truth,
vppon the experience I have had of their falsenese, yet I
may not be alltogether dcafe to their complaints, least by
non attendance to what is presented, the publique welfare
of the cuntrey be prejudiced, and I incurre a just blame.
There are att this tyme in my house some Pawkeatucket
Indyans (as I take it,) who pretend to come vppon a mes-
sage from Wickwash Cooke, a man with whom I haue noe
acquaintance att all, oiiely doe well remember, in your let-
ters the last yeare to the Commissioners att Plymmouth,
he was represented as one cordiall to the English, and
noe wayes intrested in that present dangerous designe.
His complaints are that Ninigrett is endeavoring to settle
the Pequotts that lately were att Nameocke, vppon his
owne proper land, and to out him of that which was his
cleare vndoubted inheritance, wherein he makes use of
your name, as expecting or receaving incouragemeiit from
you therein. I doe not att present vndertake the defense
342 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1648.
of Wiggwash Cook's title to the mentioned land, but that
which I cannot but suggest is that I am very confident the
Commissioners neyther in honour or justice can approue
of such proceedings in Ninigrett, and thereby he doth but
lay the foundacion of a further breach with the English.
I am willing to perswade my selfe you will noe waves in-
termeddle in a businesse of this nature, and am very desir-
ous Ninigrett may know what my apprehensions are of the
same, yf you haue any opportunity to convey it to him.
However, I much desire to heare from vour selfe what the
true state of the case is, and how farre there is a reality in
the informacion now given. He further complaynes of
some English that are beginning to build vppon part of his
ground, without his leave or consent.
I receaved this day letters out of the Massachusetts,
dated the 5th present. Your father hath beene very sicke,
but vnder hopes of recovery.* A ship was come in from
Plymmouth, which confirmes the newes brought by that
from Dartmouth. I doe not remember that I heard before
that Colonell Rainsborough was slaine treacherously, & it
is added, that Major Shippon hath vndergone the same
fate. The plot (it seemes) was to cutt of all the cheefe of
the army in such a way.
The Earle of Warwicke hath declared for the King,
Parliament, and treaty ; and that he will oppose all that doe
oppose the treaty ; and it is doubted the revolted shipps
and his Avill ioyne in that businesse. I shall onely add my
loving respects to your selfe, Mres Winthrop and Mres
Lake, and soe take leaue resting
Your assured freind Edw. Hopkins.
* Governor Wintlirop of Massachusetts died 26th March, 1049, six days after the date
of this letter; the year commencing on the 25th of March. — Eds.
1649.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 343
EDWARD HOPKINS TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
Sir, — I receaved yours by this bearer, and haue im-
parted the contents, soe farre as was necessary, to our
Gencrall Court. I conceaue our Governour, Mr. Haynes,
doth now write you an answere to severall of the particu-
lars therein mentioned. It was never our purpose to bring
the Indyan that wounded Vncus to his tryall here, but to
referre him to the examinacion of the Commissioners,
whose meting is att Boston, the 16th of July.* Thomas
Mynot spake to mee about come. It is very scarce with
vs now, and not probable that any considerable quantity
may be procured to countervayle the charge of sending
your boat vp the Riuer, but yf 5 or 6 bushell of ry, and
about a like quantity of Indyan may doe you any pleasure,
I shall endeavour to gett it ground here, and sent to Sea
Brooke, by some vesscUs that are bound for the Bay ; yf
I had sacks to putt it in, & may haue intimacion from you
that you desire it. I should haue beene glad to haue
scene you and Mres Winthrop here, yf your occations
would haue permitted it. I am in hast, and can only att
this tyme present my service to you, and her, & Mres Lake,
and soe rest
Your assured loveing freind Edwa: Hopkins.
Indorsed by Juhn Winthrop, Jr., " Mr. Hopkins, rec. May 23 1G49."
Hartford, the 19th of 3d. m? 1649.
* The CRoe of Ciittnquin, the Nnrrngansett Indian accnxed of an attempt to mnrder
Unca% aa related by Roper Williams in a letter printed in this volnme (pp. 268, 269), was
considered by the Commissionen* at the July Session, 1649; ami the offender sentenced to
be delivered uj) to Uncas for punishment. See Acts of the Commissioners, in PJym.
Col. Records, ix. 143-140. — Kds.
344 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
LETTERS OF THEOPHILUS EATON.*
THEOPHILUS EATON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
lo the Right WorshipfuU John Wynthrop, Esq : Governour of the
plantations in the MassacJiusetts Bay dd.
Sir, — I can neither write nor indeede thinke of my
brothers miscariages without much greife & shame.f He
who searcheth the. heart knew what sapp ranne within
when the fairest leaves appeared outwardly, but his late,
& I feare present fruite hath bin exceeding bitter, and his
state the more dangerous, because I feare he is but a litle
sensible of it, besides much dishonour to the great name of
God. I heare he hath bin very injurious to sundrie men ;
the particulers I fully vnderstaud not, nor as yett how farr
my self am interressed in his sinfuU projects. Some
moneys he received for me, some goods he had of mine,
spme goods by my order he sent me, and some without
order ; how these reconings stand he never sent me any
• Thpophihis Esiton arrived at Boston in June, 1637, in company with his brother
Samuel, Rev. John Davenport, and Edward Hopkins; and, the next April, went with others
to fouml the Colony of Now Haven, of which he was chosen firut Governor in 1630; and
was continued in this office till his detUh, 7th January, Uir,7-8, at the npe of sixty-seven.
He was a merchant, and brought over to this country a Inrjije estate. Mr. Savage says of
him ( Wnithrop's Hi»»t. of X. E., i.228), " No chanicterin the annals of New England is of purer
fame than that of Theophilus Eaton, Governor of the Colony of New Haven, from its settle-
ment to his death, by twenty annual elections; the only instance of such an honor ever
conferred." An excellent sketch of him will be found in Hubbard's New England, 329,
830. — Eds.
t The writer here refers to the misconduct of his younger brother, Nathaniel Eaton,
the first master of Harvard College, whose "base carriages" are mentioned in a letter of
Gov. Endecott printed in this volume, pp. 135, 136. See also Winthrop's Hist, of N. E., i.
308-313.— Eds.
1646.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 345
account, though I wrote to him for it into the Bay and
since to Virginea ; other moneys I payd him upon his [tom]
such security as gave me present satisfaction, supposing him
faithful!, partly by a bond, partly by a deede of bargaine
and sale, which I suppose to be good, though the Avitnesses
heard them not read, when they saw him scale and deliver
them as his deeds. I am not privie to any, the least indirect
ayme on my part in that cariage, nor did I foresee that in-
convenience which hath since followed. I formerly wrote
to Mr. Bellingham, desiring a share in the estate he hath
left, according to my interest, and I desire from your self
all lawfuU furtherance herein, beyond justice I know you
cannot grant, nor doe I desire. He hath also received
ffowerscore pownds for Mr. Foxcroft, by Mr. Ling's order,
from goodman Lyne, as I take it of Charlestowne, and
scverall sommes of Mrs. Woolcott for Mr. White. I assure
my self they also (with others) shall have satisfaction, so
farr as the estate will goe. I pray you excuse this bold-
nes. Might I doe you any ser\'ice in these parts I should
gladly imbracc the opportunity. With my due respect to
your self, Mrs. Wynthropp, & other freinds, I rest
Yours in all service of love Theoph : Eaton.
I have intreated my cozen Malbons help in my buisnes ;
what he doth in it I shall allow.
QUINYPIOCK, this first June, 1640.
THEOPHILUS EATON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Honored Sir, — I haue received yours of the 19 (4)
and 3 (5) the later letter almost a month before the former
came to hand, two dayes since. In both I see your labour
of love, and that you are sensible of our affliction & exer-
44
346 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1646.
cise concerning Newhaven shipp,* of which we yet heare
no certainty, but desire to waite with due submission
(though the cupp be very bitter) to our wise and good
Father's providence. When Wm. Cooley presented your
certificate on behalf of brother Jackson, I knew no such
man as James Tilly, about this towne. By inquiiie I since
heare he lives with a farmor belonging to our Ruling Elder,
but being very poore, he yet serves (as I take it) to satisfie
for a miscariage in pointe of theft : he once ranne away,
and was fetcht back by the iFarmor, his surety. If he stay,
1 shall further your neighbour what I may, but I doubt
whether any thing wilbe gotten. It wilbc a mercy if a
safe, and honorable peace may be settled betwixt the Colo-
ny es and the French, and a great addition to it, if the
Narrag : and Nyantick Indians bring in their wampum,
and performe all other covenants, but I yet doubt they
haue other dessignes. With your first conveniency, I desire
to heare what issue Gortons complaints are brought to.
It wilbe an exercise to us all, if he retume with victorv.
A cloud nerelv seemes to threaten us from the West. We
lately built a small house within our owne limits (if at least
we have any interest in these parts, and that the Duch be
not lords of the countryc, for they write this plantation in
New Netherland). I thinke I may safely say we have not
yet traded 20 skiuns of beaver in it, from the first to this
day, yet the Duch talke of hundreds nay thowsands of
skins. The copie of the protcst,f and the answer I intend
(if prest to answer, as I conceive I shall before I can heare
from the Massachusets), I have here inclosed to Mr. Pel-
ham, desiring (as the case requireth) advice from your self.
• The writer here refers to Cnpt. Lambertoirji phip, which sailed from New Haven for
Kiighind in January, 1640, and was never heard of afterwards. The account of the plmntom-
Bhip, preserved in the traditions of the Colony, which is also mentioned by \Vinthr(»p and
related at length by Mather, is connected with the loss of this ship. Sec Winthrop's Hist,
of N. K., ii. 254, 2CC, 328; Mather's Magjjalia, i. 25. — Eds.
t The protest of Governor Kieft of New Netherland, and the answer by Eaton, may
be seeu iu New-Haven Col. Records, i. 265. — Eds.
1647.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 347
Mr. Dudley, &c. with the Commissioners. With my due re-
spects to your self, Mr. Dudley, your Reverend Elders, and
other friends, I rest
Yours in all service of love Theoph : Eaton.
Newhaven, Aug: 6, 1646.
THEOPHILUS EATON AND STEPHEN GOODYEAR TO JOHN
AVINTHROP.
To the Bight Worahipfull their much Honoured friend, John Win^
thropp Esqur, at his house in Boston, dd.
Much honoured Sir, — Since yours of the 30 (2) came
to hand, we have advised with our friends at Connecticutt,
and joyntly conceiving the time we mett at Boston, 2 years
since, may suite your publique occasions, we purpose (if
the Lord will) to be there about the 22 or 23th of the 5th
moneth next, and desire (if you please) the Commissioners
may meete the 26th following. And though in buisnes of
such weight we may not over hasten, and hurrey, yet con-
ceiving we shall all indeavour to husband and improve time,
to the best advantage, we desire (if you thinke meete) that
you would send to the Narraganset and Neyantick Sachems
in the meane time, that themselves (which would be much
pressed) or at least some deputed, and fully instructed, from .
all the scverall bodyes & jurisdictions of Indians, ingaged
by the treaty at Boston in August, 1645, may meete us, as
soone as you please, after our first sitting, to satisfie our
just demands, or that without further messuages, or neede-
les expence of time, we may know their resolutions. We
have already spoken, and shall further indeavour, firmely
to ingage Thomas Stanton, to assist at Boston, as interpret-
our in these Indian treaties, but his trade and sea imploy-
ments make him less certaine, if (against his will) they
348 THE WINTHBOP PAPERS. [1648.
may not disappointe us therein. It wilbe therefore safe
and convenient (though the charge be so much increased)
that Benedict Arnold be procured, to supplye, or joyne,
in that service, as the case may require.
We have hitherto wanted meanes to inquire at Long
Island after the iFugitives you mention, but shall improve
the first opportunity, ReiFerring other thinges to our meet-
ing, with our due respects, we rest,
Yours in all service of love,
Theoph: Eaton.
Stephen Goodyeare.*
Newhaven, 27th (3) 1647.
THEOPHILUS EATON TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
Sir, — Yours of the 1 7th present, I have received, by
which I understand, William Hallet, etc. are come to your
plantation at Nameag. That grevous miscariage hath
certainly given great offence to many ; I wish their
repentance were as cleere, and satisfying. It is possible
that William Hallet & she that was Mr. Fcakes his
wife, are maryed, though not onely the lawfulnes &
validitie of such a manage, but the reallity & truth, is
by some questioned, because themselves & Toby Feakes
^ some times dcnye it ; but leaving that, I shall acquainte
you (though possibly they have done it already) with some
passages about that estate. Mr. Feakes, from Boston,
October 6, 1647, wrote to Stamford, that he reserved the
whole propriety of his estate, till he saw how God would
deale with him in England, and desired he, and the chil-
• Stephen Goodyeflr, probably a London merchant, was of New Ilnven, lfi38. Ho was
there chosen AssiftHiit, and Deputy- Governor in 1641; continuing in this office, by suc-
cessive elections, until his departure for England in 1657. He died in Loudon soon after
bis arrival. See Savage^s Geneal. Diet., ii. 278. — Eds.
1648.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 349
dren, might not be wronged &c : after wliich, that estate
being from the Duch in danger of confiscation, they
brought it to Stamford, and at their request, it was there
seized, as wholy belonging to Mr. Feakes, though after
they chalenged part thereof, as the proper estate of Wil-
liam Hallet, and she besides desired a share in what was
due to Mr. Feakes. I was not willing they should be
wronged in the least, and accordingly at their request, I
wrote to Stamford. Wm. Hallet after this brought a
letter from your honoured father, and told me he mett with
some opposition at Stamford, whereupon I advised him to
attend the Court of Magistrates, which the weeke then
following was to sitt at Newhaven, but I perceived in him
an unwillingnes thereunto, though I promised him all just
furtherance. He neither came nor sent to that Court,
yet with all tendernes I propounded his case, and it was
ordered that what ever William Hallet could prove to
be his right & due out of that mixed estate, with Mr.
Feakes, should be fully & without any condition delivered,
and further that if she settled at Watertowne, Pequott, or
within any of the English Colonyes, two of the children,
with half Mr. Feakes his propper estate, should (if de-
sired) be put into the power & trust of such English
Goverment, to be secured & improved for her & the
children's good, with such respect to Mr. Feakes, as may
be meete ; and that the other half of the estate, should be
improved at Stamford, for the use of Mr. Feakes, &
maintenance of the other two children. I hoped this
might have satisfied, but the next newes was, that Wm.
Hallet, etc, in a secret underhand way, had taken the
children, two cowes, all the houshold goods, with what else
I know not, & by water were gone away, those intrusted
at Stamford not knowing whither, the things they caryed
not being inventorycd, nor valewed, as I conceive, and
whether all brought to Nameag I know not, (I am assured
the Magistrates wilbe offended at this cariage, after they
350 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1648.
know what was ordered.) What I may doe safely (with
due respect to the Courts order) I shall doe readily, for
their sakes, whom I highly esteerae, and if they have any
corne or meale at Stamford, I would order the delivery,
but as I have heard, when they had all the estate in their
hands, the children went (if not naked) very vnsatisfyingly
apparraled. With my best respects, I rest.
Yours in all offices of love, Theopu : Eaton.
Newhaven, July 21th 1648.
THEOPHILUS EATON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the Right Worship/all his much Honoured friend John Win-
throp Usquirej Governour of the Massachusets Colonye, at his
house in Boston dd.
Much honoured Sir, — Yours of the 11th (7) and 2d
(8), I have received, and with due thankfulnes acknowlcdg
your love, both in your advice concerning that uncleane
person, and your inquirye concerning Mr. Combes case.
His buisnes was heard, and as I conceive duely considered
at two severall Courts, called purposely upon his impor-
tunity. He tooke out the copies of both, and they are
pennd at large, which probably he would have shewed to
Mr. Norton, had they made for his purpose, but Mrs.
Stollyon dyed not intestate, nor was Elizabeth (now Mr.
Combes wife) her onely child. I shall state, and as I may
in refference to the administration, abridg the case, and
crave your advice in it.
Mrs. Stollyon had 2 sonnes & a daughter ; she lived
long in England after her husbands death, but medled not
with any part of his estate, further then her owne joyn-
turc extended, as her daughter, & others from Mrs. Stoll-
yons mouth here, testefie. She came over to Newhaven
1648.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 351
about 8 yceres since, left her eldest sonne Thomas, & her
daughter Elizabeth in England, her sonne Abraham came
over with her, & stayd betwixt 4 & 5 yeeres, then by
her direction or consent (to dispatch some occasions which
concerned them) he went back into England, and returned
not till his mother was dead. Mrs. StoUyon upon her
death bed. At 1646, published a will here, which at her
coming from England, she had made, and in the presence
of 3 witnesses sealed, wherein she disposeth of some lands
in England, and out of them settles 4/* per annum upon
her daughter, but the first payment to beginne, not onely
after her owne death, but after the death of her sonne
Abraham, (a small & inconsiderable respect, of a mother,
having such an estate, to a child, then, yet she would not
be perswaded to inlarge it, at her death. The cause
might be, some miscariagc, or offence, the daughter had
given, not removed before Mrs. Stollyon came out of
England, and whether healed before her death I cannot
say.) She gives all her personall estate in old England to
her sonne Thomas, all her personall estate in New Eng-
land to her sonne Abraham, whom she makes her sole
Executor, and till his returne, comitts the trust of the
estate to Mr. Goodyere & Mr. Robert Newman oiu- Ruling
Elder, and before sundrie witnesses of. creditt, her under-
standing & memory being cleere & sufficient, she declares
& confirmcs her last will to be as before expressed. In
September or October 1646, Mr. Abraham Stollyon rctunied
out of England to Newhaven, lookd over the estate, but
would not receive it, scrupling that clause in his mothers
written will, by which she gives him all her estate in
N : England, when probably that estate was but shipped
for N : England, not there, when that first will was made.
Hereupon he leaves the estate still in trust, with Mr. Good-
vere & Mr. Newman, and the same winter retumes for
England to agree with his brother. Some difficulty he
probably found in the composition, for Anno 1647, he nei-
352 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1648.
ther came, nor gave direction to make over the estate.
This yeere Mr. Combe made a voyage for it, brought over
with him a copie of Mrs. Stollyons will, proved in the
Prerogative Court by her sonne Abraham, and letters of
administration of an after date granted to himself and his
wife, but no copie of any order, overthrowing the will
proved, or shewing whi after the will was proved, an ad-
ministration was otherwise granted. Sevcrall reasons he
alledgeth but proveth nothing, nor could so much as frame
any considerable objection against Mrs. Stollyons will as it
was made, or confirmed here, nor was he able to give cither
the Court for the estate, or Mr. Goodyere & Mr. Newman,
for the trust they had imdertaken, both from the mother,
and from the sonne, any sjitisfying security. By the
premises, I conceive you will see, whi the Court could
neither, admitt the letters of administration out of Eng-
land, nor grant Mr. Combe administration here, nor doe I
conceive Mr. Combe needs much trouble himself, that
certaine parcells of the estate are bo7ia peritura^ Mr.
Abraham (as Mr. Combe was here informed) having now
bought out his brother Thomas, and joyned two more
with Mr. Goodyere & Mr. Newman to putt off, and make
over the estate ; and he further writes, that he hath paid
Mr. Combe, what he could prove to be due, & taken his
acquittance, not hearing (it secmes) of the letters of admi-
nistration. If Mr. Combe in rcfference to his demands, or
our proceedings, object any thing further, I desire that
either your self, or Mr. Norton, wilbe pleased to call for
his copies, under our secretaries hand, which will more
largely shew his cariage, & our exercise. With my due
respects to your self, Mr. Dudley, your Reverend Elders,
and to Mr. Norton, I rest
Yours in all service of love Theoph : Eaton.
Newhaven this 30th of October 1648.
Indorsed by John Winthrop, Jr., " Mr. Eaton about Mr. Combs, Rccd
20 (U) 18."
1648.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 353
THEOPHILUS EATON TO JOHN WINTHROP. JR.
Sir, — Yours of Deer 8th I received this last night.
Concerning her that was Mr. Feakes his wife, and that
part of the estate at Stamford, I know not well how to adde
to what I formerly wrote. By order of a Court of Magis-
trates, William Hallet was to prove what part of the
estate belonged to him, and then to receive it without
further question. Mr. Feakes his estate, and children,
were to be divided, and half to be delivered to her if she
setled within any of the 4 Colonyes, where the gover-
ment would have an eie to tlJe children, & that part of the
estate, with a due respect to Mr. Feakes ; and the other
half to be kept at Stamford, with like respect, to Mr.
Feakes, & the children. I shall pass by her injurious writ-
ing to my self, desiring God may give her true repentance
for greater miscariages ; but her departure from Stamford
with the children (as I am informed) was altogether with-
out allowance, and in the language which comes from
thence, she stole away. It is true, that by an order before
the Court of Magistrates sate, she was to have 2 cowes
delivred, and some provisions, but had no liberty to take
away the children. I pitty her, & the children, and upon
any reasonable security, at Boston or Hartford, that the
estate shalbe preserved for the use of Mr. Feakes, her self,
& his children, this jurisdiction being discharged, I shall
move the Court of Magistrates, that the estate may be
wholy delivered from Stamford, to such as may be orderly
appointed to receive it ; but no part of it is at Newhaven.
I am altogether a stranger to Thomas Lyon and his wife ;
till now, I have not heard the least intimation, of her weake-
nes, or his neglect. From your information, I shall now
enquire, and consider what the case may require. With
my best respects, I rest Yours in what I may,
Newhaven, Januar>' 4th, 1648. TheOPH : EaTON,
45
354 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
LETTERS OF JOHN HAYNES.*
JOHN HAYNES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his much esteemed freind John Wirdhroppj Esqr. Governour
of Coneciecoit River, lett these bee dd.
Sir, — Oportunity ofFeringe it selfe, I gladly salute you
with my best wishes. I am to solicite you in the behalfe
of my neighbours & frinds of this towne, beingc vnwill-
inge to enterprise any thinge without your aprobation &
good likinge : the businesse in a word is only this ; wee tak-
ing into consideracion the hazard of our goods that wee
haue sent, & shall send to the mouth of the riuer, for want
of some shelter, would entreat you that a lott may bee
granted vs, with leave to build a howse in some convenient
j)lace neare the river & forte, that ther wee may haue one
resident to take care & chardge of our gaods ; as alsoe that
sixe acres of planting ground may be added therunto, that
the part}^ ther abidinge may not bee altogether without
employment : presuminge of your readynoss(> to condiscend
to my re([ucst, haue sent one to tliat purpose. Not havinge
further to trouble you for the present, with mine & my
wiues kindest remembraunce to you, wishinge all good
successe to your vndertakings, rest
Yours in all good offices Jo: Haynes.
Sir, — Conceauing there can come noe prejudice to you
by this motion, I do salute you. H : VANE.f
• John Haynes, of Es.'«ex County, England, arrived at Boston, 4th September, lCJi3; was
made freeman next year, and was also chosen Assistant; was Governor in 1635. He removed
to Hartford, Connecticat, in May, 1037; of which colony he was first Governor in 1639. He
was frequently re-elected to this office till his death, 1st March, 1054. He was distinguished
for his abilities, piety, and public spirit. See Winthrop's Hist, of N.E. ; Savage's Gencal.
Diet.; Allen's Biog. Diet. — F.DS.
t This letter was probably written from Cambridge or Bo>ton in lC:3r., when Vane was
Governor. — Eds.
1043.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 355
JOHN IIAYNES TO JOHN WINTIIROP.
To the Bight Worshipfull his mucJi Jionoured ffrcind John Win-
thropp^ Esqr, Oovernour of tlie Mattachosett, these hee del.
Worthy Sir, — In my jorney towards Quilipiacke, I
mett with this Panaquanike Iirdian, who being bowndc for
the Baye, rcpayringe to your selfe, requested mee to sig-
nify to you what hee is & his erraund. The party is knowne
to vs, & his busynesse in particular to truckc for ccrteine
squaes that were taken when wee invaded ther coasts. I
leave him & what hee hath to save to vour wisdom to con-
sider of. Wee liave lately hadd a great floode, that came
vpp to some of our howses, & carryed away a good parte
of our fences in our lowc grounds, otherwise, wee blesse
the Lord, wee are generally in good health. I should gladly
crave a word from you, if any newes by the fishinge shipps
from England. In much hast, my service presented to
your selfe, Mr. Dudley, with the rest of our good f rinds,
I take leave.
Your assured ffrind Jo : Haynes.
Wethersfeild, the 27th of the Ist month, 1G39.
JOHN HAYNES TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the lilfjht Worship/all Jo: Winthropp Esq. Governour at the
Mattatasctts Bay^ these present.
Honoured Sir, — Since your former, I received lately
by an Indian messendgcr your last, wherin you mencion
the claime that is made to the Mattabesicko Sachims land,
lately deceased, mediating that they might not be preiudiced
in ther rights. The truth is, we are most vnwillinge to offer
tlumi the least iniury in that kind. The case is really this,
856 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1643.
we have, a pretty space since, in the life time of that Sachim
that is nowe departed, bought his land, & have it vnder
his hand, with witnes, &c, & are at the time of his death
to enter vppon the whole, & it being the most considerable
place of the river for plantation, not yet planted, we can
by noe meanes toUerate ther residence in that place. I can-
not advise, as the case stands, for Miantonimo to send his
Sonne hither, for ther will vndoubtedly be greater hasard
of the safety of his person, then he is aware of. I shall ac-
quaint you with the reason of my thoughts, when I see you,
which I hope will be with the rest of the company about
the begininge of the 3d month next. In the interim I
recommend you to Him that is able to keepe you, & rest
Yours affcctionatly Jo : Haynes.
Habtford the 29th of the Irst mo : 1643 :
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop, " Mr, Haynes. — Reed. (2) 7. — 43."
JOHN HAYNES TO JOHN WINTHROP.
2b the Right Worship/ull Jno, Winthrop Esq, Governour of the
Mdttatusetts, these present.
Worthy Sir, — The late & last newes from our native
countrjs* comparing thinges together, scemes verry sadd &
calls for our deepest humiliacion, & serious improvement
of our best interest in heaven, by lifting vpp our cryes for
the remnant that is left in these southerne parts ; therfor
our thoughts are vnanimously to observe a day once every
month, to seeke the Lord in the behaulfe of His poore
Churches ther & elsewher. We should be right glad of
your concurrence, if it may seeme good to you, vntill we
* Intelligence had probably been received in the Colonics, at the date of this letter, of
be surrender of the city of Bristol to Prince Rupert, the defeat of Fairfax at Addcrton
Moor, and the submission of many towns in the west of England to the king's authority. —
Eds.
1643.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 357
have further tidinges. Ther is lettres come, as you Avell
know, from severall persons, to invite Mr. Cotton, Mr.
Hooker, & Mr. Damport. We heare your selves cannot
tliinke it a mecte season for the sending Mr. Cotton, & I
suppose, although we have not yett mett for a full deter-
minacion, yett in all probability it will fall ther alsoe with
vs, for times being soe hazardous, dificult enough to dis-
tinguish frinds from foes. Haven townes daily taken one
each side, & that which is more the maine busines for
which they are cheifly called, already sett in such a way,
that they being trew to ther owne principles, may rather
become a stumble then otherwis. The newes heere of the
Indians is, & that for certeine, that both the Naragansetts &
Sequasson have of late sent a great quantity of wampham
to the Mowhawkes, to hire them to fight with the English &
Mohegans, & it is said they have preveiled with them to
come downe for that purpose, which if it proove soe, they
deale not fairely with the English, (the Naragansetts I
meane), having promised to be peaceable & quiett. If it
please you therfor to acquaint them with what you heare, &
to tell them what they doe by ther wampham, is as if they
did it with ther owne hands, & wilbe soe taken. Hapily
such a messadgc in time may prevent a future inconveni-
ence. Ther is a party whose name is Peter Bamefeild,
that was lately at Fisher Hand, a carpenter, who, with the
Bartletts, heertofor built you a barne, one knowen to your
selfe, hath feloniously carryed away & embeseled the goods
of Tho : Stanton, to the valew of 20li: & more, who is
now at the Bay, & purposes to escape away to England.
It is desired by my selfe & Tho : Stanton that you would
be pleased to cause him to be aprehended, & forthcominge
to answear the same.
Thus not doubtinge of your readines, out of your love
to justice, I rest
Yours to serve in the Lord Jo : Haynes :
Hartford the 1st of the 10th mo : 1643.
358 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [16-18.
JOHN HAYNES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his much respected ffreind Jno, Winthropp Esq. these hee dd.
att Pequoit.
Kind Sir; — I was much refreshed to heare of you &
yours welfare. For these particulers you hinte & intimate
concerninge Nincunnett, & his desires of leave for hunt-
inge in the Pequoit country, you well knowe it is not
proper for you or my selfe, or any one in particuler to
intermcdle, by giving way to a busines of this nature,
without the consent & concurrence of all whom it doth
concerne. Neither indeed doe I thinke it a fitt time &
season for the party himselfe to make such a request. My
reason is, hee is att this present, vnder vehement suspi-
tion of having a hand in that late combustion, by hiringe
the Southerne Indians & Mawhawkes to fall vppon
Vnckus, with great sommes of wampham given by him &
other Narag : Sachims vnto them for that purpose. Ilee
cannot bee ignorant that vppon his & the rest vniust warr
vppon Onckus, formerly, wherin they breake covenant
with the English, (therfor cannot plead his inocency
towards the English as Onkus, in that respect). Neither
was those many Pcquoits given him, which hee still
deteins, but likewise it is reall & well knowen, the Eng-
lish, vppon this consideration, have ingadged to defend
Onkus, in case the Narrigansetts shall by themselves, or
others by ther instigation or procuiemcnt, att any time
invade him ; & therfor what they have done in this thing
is soe farr against the English, & cannot but iustly give
them offence, & I doubt not but it will bee required att his
hand & the rest &c, either to cleare themselves, or other sa-
tisfaction, before hee cann in reason exspect much courtesy
from them. For his other plea, hee is poore, & soe vnable
to dischardge what hee owes to the English : I answer, hee
1649.] THE AVINTHROP PAPERS. 359
hath vnadvisedly brought this poverty one himselfe, by
dealing iniuriously towards the English, in sending away his
wamphara to the aforementioned, for such an end as might
have binne the cause of much trouble, if not of his owne
mine at last, had it not by the care of the English binne
timely prevented : besids his answeare to the '^ay is, that
hoc has paid his parte already, &c. These thinges con-
sidered, I may not coudiscend to his request, only I must
needcs say his carriadge in the Bay, by what I heare,
deserves comendation, if his performance bee answcar-
able. I shall add noe more, but kind comendations from
my selfe & wife, to your selfe, Mrs. Winthrop, & Mrs. Lake,
if still with vou. I am
Your assured loving ffreind Jo : Haynes.
Seabrooke this present of the 7th mo : 1G48.
My wife continewcs soe weake that I dare not as yet
cary her vpp.
I'or the cxchandge of gunnes, it cannot bee, itt beinge
prohibited by the capitall orders in the Bay & heere.
JOHN HAYNES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his much honoured ffreind Mr, Jno. Winthrop Sfc, att Pequoit
these hee dd,
Shi, — I had not a season befor this present, to returnc you
thankes for vour courteous Icttre & ncwes, somme time since
sent nice, neither had I oportunity to condole with you,
that sadd losse of yours in particulcr, & of all in generall,
of that worthy servaunt of Christ, & great instrument of
soe much good in these westerne parts (your deare ffather,)
who served wortliily in his generation, fallen asleepe, &
now at rest. The memorial of the righteous is blessed, &c.
Tlie Lord shew vs what Hee calls for in these great
360 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1649.
breaches in Church & State with vs. I well hoped to have
seene you heere this Court, (but a heavy accident befalling
your child interveeninge, your purpose obstructed) as I
heare. It is absolutely necessary ther should bee with
you that may exercise magistraticall authority, for graunt-
inge warrants or the like, &c. I am therfor deputed (by our
Court) by my selfe or somme other magistrate of this Juris-
diction, to tender the oath that may put you in a capacity
to that purpose, your selfe condiscendinge. If I comm, in
regard of my wives weakenes, should bee willinge to meet
you at Seabrooke, except your selfe please to affoard vs a
visite in these parts. Ther is coguisaunce taken by our
Court, of somme party es resident with you, that arc of ill
fame, as one that was the wife sometimes of Mr. Feake,
& who it seemes did confesse her selfe an adulteresse,
(which is vppon record at the Dutch) & now pretends
marriadge with another man, how trcw or Icgall is not
well knowen. I am therfor to acquainte you, that she
with somme others are sent for by warrant to apeare att the
Court heere, to answeare accordinge to the tenure therof.
Wee could doe noe other but seeke to doe justice in such
horrid facts, (if truth,) vnlesse wee should lave ourselves &
others vnder guilt. What is done by the Court in an-
sweare to the townes proposicions, you will vnderstand by
the agents you sent. I hope you will well discerne our
readines in answearinge desires that may bee for encoradge-
ment. I shall trouble you noe further at present, only
with my wives kind saluts to your selfe, Mrs. Winthrop,
Mrs. Lake, I am
Your assured fFreind Jo : Haynes :
Hartford, this 18th of the 3d mo. 1649.
My wife is yett in the land of the livinge, only weake,
kecpes her bcdd constantly, can only rise vp to make it, &
to bedd agaiiie. If she tryes to sitt vpp, falls presently
into her violent fitts.
1651.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 361
JOHN HAYNES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
Zb his much respected ffreind, Jno. Winthropp Esq. these bee dd.
att Pequoit,
Sir, — This Indian, the bearer heerof, makes complaint
in the bchaulfe of diverse others att Mohegan, that a great
company of hoggs, to the nomber of thirty or therabouts,
have bine lately with them, & destroyed many parcells of
ther corne. They suppose they are Jacob Waterhowse his
swine, but certeine they come from your towne. May you
please therfor to acquaint Jacob with it, & depute 2 or 3
English to veiwe the harmes, with what speed may bee,
that we may bee rightly informed, that a course may bee
taken accordinge to justice & rightuousnes ; which is the
way wee ordinarily take in busines of that nature. I
shall trouble noe further att present, only remembrance
to your selfe, Mrs. Winthropp, & Mr[s]. Lake, from my
selfe & wife, I rest
Your loving flFreind Jo : Haynes :
Hartford this 25th of the 3d mo : 1649.
JOHN HAYNES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his much honoured ffreind Jno, Winthropp Esqr. att Pequoit,
these bee dd.
Worthy Sir, — It much reioyces mee to heare of the
good hand of God towards my poore companion & yoake-
fellowe, in vouchsafinge those intermissions from her
wonted violent ffitts, together with the hopes of His
blessing vppon the meanes, for addition of further health,
helpe, & strength. I am exceedingly engadged & oblidged
46
362 THE WINTUROP PAPERS. [1651.
to your selfe for the great paines & care, & const in admi-
nistring to her, & visitinge of her. I shalbe stndions
what I may, for manifestacion of my thankfnlnes, only
feare, after endeavours that way, shall fall short of what
were meete for mee to doe in that kind. Bee pleased att
present to accept of a flFrinds small gift. I have putt
aboard Jno. Gallopp (for your vse) a few thinges that I
hope may bee vsefull, namely sixe bushels of barly mault,
sixe bushels of Indian mault, & one bushel of oatemeale.
These wilbe delivered to you, I pray call for them. I
shalbe glad to see you att the Court of Election, in case
your busines will permitt ; if soe lett my howse be the
place of your aboade while heerc. I send you by this
vessell those horse radish roots you mention. Wee have
lately heard of Air. Hopkins,* & by his lettre of his
safe arrivall in England, after many dificulties, & despe-
rate daundgers, to admiration. Hee seemes to crosse by
his, what you hinted concerning peace with the Dutch, &
sales they refuse vtterly soe much as to treate that way
(except the parliament will revoake & call in ther Act
concerning matter of trade, which I supose you have
scene). The kingdom of England for the most parte
seemes much dissatisfied, &c., & as much hartburninge.
Other newes much as wee heard, only Cromwell is invited
by the Prince of Condeo to aide him in France, who
stands out vppon the same accoimt as England did with
ther king, for ther liberties. For Scotland, the cheife &
almost all places of strenght are reduced, & the Commis-
sioners from the Parliament of England who would have
them vnder all one goverment with England, its liked of by
somme, but oposed by others, which is the greatest party.
Ther was lately fewer of the Duch slaine by the Indians,
which is like to create troubles ther. It is alsoe rumored
• Kdwjini Hopkins, Governor of Connecticut, intended a visit to England in 1G51; and
appears to have been absent from the !»e»sion3 of the General Court, afier his election iu
May, 16*V2. — Kr>».
16ol.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 363
that the flfrigotts who lately reduced Virginia * are likely
to call in att Hudson's River as they coast alonge, & alsoe
att I)e la Ware. Noe more att present, but kind saints
to your sclfe, Mrs. Winthrop, Mrs. Lake, & Mrs Blinman,
with thankes for your kind enterteinement, rest
Yours most assured Jo : Haynes :
Your miller procured an attachment (when hee was
heere) against Hobby, & entered into band (& my selfe
engadged with him) to prosecute an action of slander the
next Court. The warrant is served vppon him according-
ly, & himselfe, & vessell he came in, is staied, ATitill security
is given to answcare the sute. If the miller should not
bee heere to prosecute, or his Attorney for him, with suf-
ficient proofe to make good the chardge, ther wilbe great
damadges recovered by the other party. Lett him know
soe much, that hee may not miscarry.
• TJie writer probably refers to the expedition, under Cnpt. Dennis, sent by Cromwell
Agiunst Virginia in 1651. — Eds.
364 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1635.
LETTERS OF GEORGE FENWICK.*
SIR ARTHUR HASELRIG AND GEORGE FENWICK TO JOHN
WINTHROP, JR.
lb his most Worthy frende, John Winthrope the younger, Esq:\
Sir, — You shall receiue from Mr. Hopkins a perticular
of what is sent. Therin you shall finde our constancie
and care. Our dependance on you is greate, wee neede
not expresse it. Your abilitie to performe your vndertake-
ing we doubt not; your integritie to goe on with the
woorke we suspect not; only our request is, that (with
what speede possible may be) fitt houses be builded.
We write this (as we hope) to congratulate your ariuall,
and to incourage your forwardnese, in a woorke of •such
exceedinge consequence. Wee shalbe happie to line to see
you, howsoeuer our best desires are yours, and wee
Your truest seruants A. Hesilrige. J
Geo: Fen wick.
LOND: this 18 of Sept: 1635.
Indorsed by John Winthrop, Jr., " Sr. Arthur Ilaselrick &, Mr.
George Fen wicks letter."
• George Feuwick, a lawyer of Gray's Inn, London, came over in May, 1630, and
returned the same or the following year; but came back again, with his family, in July,
1639. He wa.s interested in the Connecticut Patent, and now camo vla agent for the paten-
tees, and established himself at Saybrook, which place he named in honor of two distin-
guished noblemen of the company he represented. His establishment was independent
till December, 1644. He subsequently retunicd to England, was a colonel in the Par-
liamentary Army, member of Parliament, and named one of the ** High Court of Justice "
which condemned the King; but failed to serve. He died at Berwick, of which he was
Governor, on the 16th of March, 1067. See Winthrop's Hist, of N.E., i. 306; Savage's
Geneal. Diet. — Eds.
t John Winthrop, Jr., wa«, at the date of this letter, in London; whence he arrived hero
in the " Abigail,** Octolier following. — Eds.
I Sir Arthur Haselrig, Bart., was son of Sir Thomas Haselrig of Nosely, in Lincoln-
shire. Disgusted with the arbitniry govcrnmtint of Charles L, it is said that he intendedt
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 365
GEORGE FEXWICK TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
For his very loueing /reind Mr. John Winthrope att Salem, thes.
Sir, — I thankc vow for your kind letter, & am as glad
to heare of your welfaire as yow of my safe arriuall in thes
])artes, as I should also be to se yow & other good freinds
there with yow. I thanke God I find noe want heare but
company, which I hope the Lord in his owne tyme will
supplie. Imployment I haue enough, if not too much for
my weake number, which takes vp both my tyme &
thoughts. I hope heare after I shall find a vacation to
visit my freinds. I am glad to heare yow are about your
salt workes, & wishe you hartilie all good successe, of
which I shalbe exceeding glad to heare. If there be any
thing wherein I can pleasure yow, I shalbe glad to doe it.
In the mean tyme recomending my loue & respect to your
selfe & bedfellow, \^4th Mr. Peters & Mr. Endecott, I rest
Your loueing & assured frcind Geo. Fenwick.
CONECTICUTT, Sept. 13th, 1639.
My wife remembers her respect to yourself & wife.
GEORGE FENWICK TO JOHN WINTHROP.
For his honored /reind John Winthrop esqr, att his house in Bos-
ton, thes.
Sir, — When I was with yow I did not know how Mr.
Whitefeild & I should devid. I thought it most equall
in 1637, in company with Cromwell and John Hampden, to leave hi» native isle for New
England; but ho did not sail. He was, with Fenwick, interested in the Connecticut Patent.
He was a member of Parliament, and distinguished himself by preferring a bill of attain-
der against the Karl of Strafford. He alno showed great acrimony against the king, and
was chosen a member of the "High Court of Justice" for the trial of Charles; but he
never sat in that body. He was colonel of a regiment of cuirassiers, called " the Lob-
sters," from their being so completely armed. He was one of the " Council of State,*'
1^549; Governor of Newcastle in 1650; and, in 1054 and 1656, a member of 01iver*s Parlia-
ment. He afterwards took an active part in the stirring events prior to the Restoration.
He was sent to the Tower in 1060 by Charles II., and died in that or the following year.
See Cromwelliana; Noble's "Memoirs of Several Persons and Families/* &c. ; Nalson's
Journal of the High Court of Justice, &c.; Trumbnirs Hist, of Conuecticuf, i. 497, 498. —
Ens.
366 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
that he should haue had part stock & part of your debt,
but he being vtterly destitute of catle, & relyeing vpon those
he expected vpon his bargaine with my wife, I haue con-
discended to lett him haue all the 5 cowes that remained
of my wifes whole stock, and haue taken your debt wholly
vpon my selfe, beinge confident that as your occasions wdll
inable yow, yow wilbe mindfuU of it. I speak not this to
straiten yow, for the Lord knowes that from that respect I
beare yow, for your publique mindednes & personall worth,
I could be very reddi to doe a greater courtesie for yow, if it
were in my power, yet my occasions are such, & my disap-
pointments haue bene soe great, that I haue bene & am lik
to be more straitned for moneyes this yeare, then in that
litle tyme I haue lined I haue cuer bene ; for of 1000/ &
aboue I ordered to be returned into the Bay, I haue receaued
but 326/, & it is very doubtfull what is become of the rest ;
as also after the death of my sen^ant, I sent another for
England to bring me some retumes, who was forced to goe
about by Spaine, & I heare noethiug of him, though I
haue a letter from John Wood, who mentions provisions
he hath to bring for me from some freinds, but mentions
not my man, which makes me the rather feare, because the
letters I wrott by him were left behind, & sent by another
conueyance, & by them such freinds as I wrot to may
provid for me. The Lordes wilbe done. If he se
not meet my occasion should proceed, according to my
owne order & provision, I hope he will giue me a hart,
with all humblenes, to be contented to haue them stayed
or caried on after His good will & pleasure. I haue re-
ceaued the cow that was with you (by my servants), & shall
not trouble yow now further, but presentiugc my true re-
spects to your selfe & bed fellow, I rest
Your lo : freind Geo : Fenwick.
Seabrook 6? July 1640.
*
My wife remembers her loue to yow both.
1641.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 367
GEORGE FEXWICK TO JOHN WINTHROP.
For his much respected freind John Winthrop, Esqr. att Boston, this.
Sir, — Robert Saltonstall hath bene
that land he hath disposed w
the countrie gaue to his father
bought of Capt. Pathick the c
my letter to 5 ow was, to manifest
& his gone, which his letter de
all to prejudice either. I wrott
wherbv he desires me to take care
which I wonder he should doe w
of all to his Sonne by the letter
The truth of the bussines v|)on the
& discourse with Rob. I
did really giue him such po
verball reseruation to himself
not to answerc his promises to h
& good bchauiour for the time to com
of him. lie is att present very se
passages «S: I would gladly hope) d
promise reformation, & to doe neer
advice of freinds, his present strait
discharge his present ingagments, he
with mc to helpe him out of them, & althoug ....
neuer to haue had any dealings with hi
some experience of his setlednes, yet vpo
promises of future care in his occasio
more to performe them I haue consent
what I can, therfor Sir, if it stand any
conveniency to cutt of what he owes you
wayes with any other to further him, I shall allow . .
account. I haue also consented to lett him haue some
other moneycs that are oweinge to me, if he can make vse
368 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1641.
of them. He also intreats me to be a sutour to vow on his
behalfe, to further him to such moneves as mav be dew to
him from the countrie, for his purpose is to dispatch as
sone as he can, that he may retume & attend the aggre-
ment with Stiles, which Mr. Haynes & others aboue
conceaue wilbe for his advantage. I nead not say any
more to yow, whom he hath euer found soe much his
freind. I haue receaued the trees yow sent me, for which
I hartily thanke yow. If I had any thing heare that could
pleasure yow, yow should frely comand it. I am prettie
well storred with chirrie & peach trees, & did hope I had
had a good nurserie of aples, of the aples yow sent me
last veare, but the wormes haue in a maner distroyed
them all as they came vp. I pray informe me if yow know
any way to preuent the like mischeife for the future. Your
Sonne was with me befor your Tetter, & acquainted me with
your owne & his desire. I did but expresse my hart when
I told him I should be glad any way to pleasure either of
yow, &, soe farre as it did concerne me, gaue my con-
sent (with this reseniation, which I know in his owne
disposition he would be reddie enough to yeald to), that if
there were any fishing neare it (which soe farr as I se we
must all suddenly seek after) you might [ ] me a liberty
to make vse of part of it for that imployment, but whither
euer there will be any such occasion or noe, I know not :
soe with the tender of my owne & wifes loueing respects to
your selfe & bedfellow, I rest your assured frend:
Geo. Fen wick.*
May 6tb. 1641.
Your bill I left with Mr.* Bellingham.
• This letter is indorsed by Governor Winthrop, " Mr. Fenwick for money . . . pnyd to
Mr. R. Sultonstull; ** and by John Winthrop, Jr., " Mr. Fen wicks consent for Fishers Hand.'*
See further, in relation to this grant, in Pablic Records of Connecticut, i. 64. — Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 369
LETTERS OF WILLIAM PYNCHON .♦
WILLIAM PYNCHON TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To the Bight Wbrship/idl Mr. John Wintrop Oouemor at Co-
nettecot dlr.
RoxBURY, 22 Aprill, 1636.
Mr. Wintrop, — My respectiue loue remembred : being
glad to here of your safe ariuale, & of your comfort-
able hopes of a good proceedinge. My desyer is to
see you, but because I desyer to hasten back, I shall not
now find tyme to see you, I thinke. But I will hasten
to setle myself there as soone as I can, & then I shall see
all the plantations. It pleased God, by his prouidcnce
to bring home the Blessinge,"f before Mr. Allerton could be
ready for vs, & so we haue agreed with your flfather [and?]
Mr. Gibbins, for the fraight of 16 tunns of goods at 355.
to the river mouth ; & also it is further agreed that if ther
• William Pynchon, named an assistant in the Ma<*8ac1iu8etts Charter, was from Spring-
field, Essex County, England. He came over with Winthrop in 1630, and settled first at
Roxbary; but in a few years (about 1686) removed to Springfield, of which town he was
the founder. He there lived till 1652; when he, with Capt. Smith, his son-in-law, and
Rev. Mr. M(»xon, the fii*st minister of the town, went to England, never to return. He
died at Wraisbury, on the Thames, in Buckinghamshire, in October, 1662. In 1650 waa
published in London a book written by him, entitled " The Meritorious Price of Man's
Redemption ; " which, on arriving at Boston, was publicly burnt by order of the General
Court, and the author called to account for it. Norton was employed to answer this book;
and published at London, in 1653, " A Dii^cussion of that Great Point in Divinity, the
Sufferings of Christ," &c. Pynchon published a rejoinder in 1656; and followed up
the discussion in a book, printed in 1662, called '* The Covenant of Nature made with
Adam Described," &c. The address to the reader is dated " From my study, — Wraysbury,
Feb. 10, 1661." See ante, p. 285 ; 3 Mass. Hist. Coll., i. 35 ; Savage's Geneal. Diet. — Eds.
t Gov. Wiuthrop's bark, the " Blessing of the Bay," which was launched at Mistick,
July 4, 1031. — Eds.
47
370 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. ' [1636.
a faier wind will giue way, we must haue our goods
delivered at New Towne or Water Towne, at such further
prise as shall be iudged by the medle prise of carrienge
goods vp the riuer : & I doe eamestely intreate you to be
a meanes to hasten them vpp, if by any meanes the wind
will serue, for it will greately helpe to promote our worke,
hauing so few hands to helpe vs, & so once more I pray
further vs what you can. I haue but 4 peeces of cloth
loose, being 4 speciall good peeces at 8s. heere, but
fraight & venture will be 6rf. in a yard more : so if you
please you may haue them ; or at least I pray lay them
vpp safe for me: the contentes and cullers of the cloth
are
1 violet, 35. y.
_^^^' ^ -y- 4f gQ markd also on the cloth.
1 murry, 3o. y. J
1 russet, 35. y.
If you accept of them, send me word by my seruant,
because else I may sell them to some of New Towne
or Dorcester.
Also if you haue any further councill or aduise to
giue me about plantation or the like, write me 2 or 3
words. Also you shall doe well to inquier & take
careful informations about the Indians killing 2 of our
men, that a course of iustice may be taken, so as may be
cleere to all that the course is iust; & so if our goods
be landed with you, doe vs all the kindnesse you can with
howseroome : & so Jehouah blesse you in layeing a good
foundation in all your vndertakinge for the publike.
Your euer assured faithfull flFreind,
William Pyxcuon.
I pray remember my harty loue to Mr. Gardener, & to
the rest with you.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 371
WILLIAM PYNCHON TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To the night Worahipfidl & my worthy ffrend Mr. John Wintrop
at Quinetiecot Bluer mouth dlr this.
RoxBURY July 4, 1636.
Deere & worthy Freind, — My true loue remembered:
I sent you a few lines by land, & now againe by sea, to
assuer you that I forget you not: & the name of your
good health is good newes vnto me. I suppose the for-
mer parsell of cloth is neere all gonn, & therefore I haue
sent you a smale parsell more ; the best that euer came to
Quinettecot : the contentes are as folio weth, viz : —
33 y. of tauny : plaine wool.
39 j^. I tauny shagg.
38 y. i liuer culler shagg. \ ^ 8s.-90li. Os. Od.
38 y. murry shagg. '
37 y. ^ murry shagg.
38 y. of liuer culler shagg.
All thes at 8s. per yard, better cloth by much then any I
see heere in the Bay.
I pray accept my bill of exchang to you, by Mr. Peeter,
for 63/i; & as for the freight of the Blessing formerly,
I haue a perfett account of it: but I haue not mett
with Anthony Dike, to confer my notes with him.
& as for the fraught of the Batchellcr,* I shall mak
vpp the tunag with Mr. Gose at Watertowne, for thither
I haue conditioned that she must deliuer our goods. I
asked Lieftenant Gibins, before I would hier her, if she
might goe as far as Watertowne, & he confidently affirmed
she might, & that there is water enough : therefore I pray
giue all the furtherance you can.
* The " R'lchelor" appears to have sailed on her second trip to Connecticat near the
date of tliis letter. See \Viuthrop*s Hist, of N. E., i. 389, 392. — Eds.
372 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1643.
Also I received a parsell of course wampam from you,
but I could not trade any of it, because others were fur-
nished with plenty of better : but if you will send me a
parsell of a 100 or 200 fathom of fine white wampam, I
shall accept it as beuer. If you sell not this cloth, keepe
it in good condition, & I will take it againe.
As for vsing ould traders to trade for you, it is not the
best way for your gaine ; for they know how to saue
themselues ; but a trusty man that neuer was a trader will
quickly find the way of trading, & bring you best profitt
& so the God of peace be with you euer.
Your euer louing flfreind
William Pynchon.
WILLIAM PYNCHON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the Bight Worahipfull Mr. John Wintrop Gouernor of the
MasscuJiuaet, dlr this in Boston.
Sprinqefeild, this 19 of the 12 month 1643.
Mr. Gouernor, — My respectiue loue remembred vnto
you & your wife, & to your son John Wintrop & his wife :
I received a letter lately from you by Nippumsint, &
another to Mr. Haines, which I sent him. I blesse God
to hecre of your good health, & I praise God we are all in
good health & in peace in our plantation ; & the Lord hath
added some 3 or 4 yongc men out of the River, that are
godly, to us lately : & the Lord has grcately blessed Mr.
Moxon's ministry, to the conversion of many soules, that
arc lately added to our Church : & hetherto the Lord hath
prcserued vs in peace from enimies. Much talk was of
the great actes that the Mowhoaks would do at the begin-
1643.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 373
ing of winter, but the latest reports are that they will not
help Sowaquassim, & yet they kep his wampum. I doe
not certainely heere whether they will aid the Naricanset
Sachim, but as far as I can vnderstand they reiect him also.
But wheras you writ that you thought the Naricanset
Sachim would be content to sit still, my intelligence from
the Indians of the River is otherwise : & they haue lately
killd a Munhegan woman. I conceiue you vse your best
endeuors to hould of the Naricanset, & I suppose they in
the Riuer do also hould of Woncas, & in so doinge you doe
well : & my advise is that neather you nor the riuer should
do any thing else, but vse delatory meanes, for I perceiue
the nature of the Indians is vppon eury like occasion to be
much prouoked with the desyer of reuenge, but if meanes
of delay be vsed but a while, the edge of their reuengefuU
desyer will soonc be cooled. I perceiue they are carefuU
of this, not to begin first with the English, but they make
account, if the English begin first with them, to doe great
matters : & I veryly beleeve they may soone make lamenta-
ble hauock. But I hope the English will neuer put it to
the tryall, till they be more then a litle prouoked to it.
I had not the news of England, in any large measure,
till I had fii'st written to Mr. Haines, but then he spedily
sent me such bookcs of records as he had, 7 or 8, wherin
I blesse God to se that strict & godly couenant betweene
England & Scotland. It is the high way of God for their
deliuerance. I hope it is now the day of Antichrist's
great ouerthrow at Armageddon. I greately long to
here whether the Scotts be yet come into the aid of the
Parliment. I hope you will haue newes by the fishing
shipps err longe: & so the God of peace be our Fore-
gaurd & Reareward all our dayes. Amen.
Your euer loueinge flfrind in the Lord,
William Pynchon.
374 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1645.
WILLIAM PYNCHON TO JOHN AVINTHROP.
lb his honored ffreind Mr, John Wintrop Deputy Gouernor, this
jn Boston,
Springefeild this 15 day of Sept. 1645.
Mr. Wintrop, — My best respect remembered, hopinge
of the continuance of your good health. I cannot but
admire at the particuUorre \visdome & prouidence of God,
that hath so ouerruled war as to make it the meanes of so
hopeful! an accord betweene Indians & English. If warrs
had proceeded, as it was like, I apprehend it would haue
cost the liues of many English, as well as Indians, partly
by warrs, & partly by disordered hardshipp. Experience
doth apparently shew it : for many of the souldiers of the
River are returned very ill, & one of them is dead, & yet
they were out but a very litle while, in comparison of
that they must haue bin, if warrs had proceeded ; or else
if you had withdrawen your forces before the full con-
quest, the Indians would haue had liberty to doe a world
of mischeefe. It seemes the Ijord did not see sufficient
ground as yet to shed so much blood as both sides intend-
ed, both of English & Indians ; & therefore the Lord
framed the hartes of the Indians to submitt. Suerly this
was the Lords doing, & it ought to be maruelous in our
eyes, & to be acknowledgd with all thanckfulnesse.
All the Moheganicks that are enimies to the Narican-
sett speake well of the Naricansett Sachim, & do perswad
themselus that he means honestly, & that he will keepe
his word. But they are iealous of the Nayantuk Sa-
chim, conceiuinge that he will breake his word in the
springe.
I wrote vnto you by Quodnams pinace, about one Mary
Lewis, the wife of one Lewis, a papist. She hath bin
aboue 7 years seperate from her husband, & is perswaded
by others that she may marry by the lawes of England.
She is easely perswaded to that, because she liues vnder
1645.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 375
temptations of desyer of mariage, & I vnderstand lately
that she is falen into a leange of amity with a bricke maker
of our towne : I gaue you what light I could in the case,
& desyred you to take aduise at the Court, what I may doe
in this case, if she desyer to be maried. She hopes that
you will giue her liberty to mary in some short tyme : &
therefore your answer to my letter requiers the more hast :
& so the God of all peace be with you euer, Amen.
Your assured louinge flfriend euer,
William Pynchon.
Whether was their any speech aboute the purchase of
the Riuers mouth.
WILLUM PYNCHON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his honored ffreind, Mr, John Wintrop, deputy Ghuemor, at
his howse in Boston, thes dlr.
Springefeild, this 4 of Nouember, 1645.
Sir, — Mv best loue remembered : this is the last
opportunity, I feare, that I shall haue to write vnto
you before winter, & though I haue no serious matter to
writ of, yet I cannot loose this opportunity. I received
yours about Mary Lewes,* who is now newley maried to a
brickmaker. I thanke God I & my wife & family are in
good health, & God hath been pleased to inlarge my flfa-
mily. My only son f is now maried, & he hath brought
home his wife this day to my howse, where he may con-
tinue as long as he finds it for his comfort & benifitt.
Yet the Lord is pleased to mingle some afflictions with
His mercies, for the last Wednesday 2 of our Towne going
downe the Riuer with a cano laden with come & other
• See the preceding letter. — Eds.
t John Pynchon, who married, 30th October, 1646, Amy, daughter of Qeorge Wyllys
of Hartford. The Ilartford record gives the date of this marriage (incorrectly) as 6th
November, 1646. — Eds.
376 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1644.
goods, were cast away, eather a litle before they came to
the forks or at the first enterance : I thmke it is the meere
hand of God, & therefore I hope the Lord will help vs to
search our waies, & labor for more weanednesse from thes
emty cretures that are so vncertaine.
I intreat you if there be any newes stirring that you will
impart what you know, as I thank you, you vse to doe.
I intreate you to remember my best respect to your
wife, & to your sonnes, & to their wifes, to Mr. Cotton, Mr.
Wilson, &c, & so the God of all grace & mercy supporte
your hart in euery condition that God shall please to ex-
ersise you with all : & so I rest your assured louing flFriend
& brother in the Lord euer
William Pynchon.
WILLIAM PYNCHON TO STEPHEN DAY.*
To his Louinge ffre\ind] Steeuen Day, fante uacu [tom] in Nipnett
this dlr,
Springefeild this 8 of the 8 month 1644.
Steeuen Day, — I received a letter from you by an
Indian, who saith that his name is Ta-mug-gut. Whereas
you write for butter & cheese, it is not to be had in all our
plantation, I spend it as fast as I make it, because I haue
much resort & many workmen, which eate it as soone as
I haue it ; & as for porke or bacon, I haue none, I haue
not yet killd any hoggs; only 2 of our neighbors killd
some yesterday : but the weomen say with carriage it will
putrifie, esi)ecially seeing Indians will often linger on such
a iomey two dayes: only I procured 3/i of bacon of a
• Stephen Day, the first printer in New England, came over in 1638, nnder a contract
vrith Kev. Jose Glover, who died on his passage. Day commenced printing in Cambridge
in March, 1«30. His name appears among the petitioners for a grant at Nashaway, now
Lancaftter, in May, 1644; and it may be conjectured that this letter was addressed to him
while he was in that part of the country, engaged in the afTairs of the new Bettlemeut.
He died at Cambridge, Dec. 22, 1668. — Eds.
1644.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 377
neighbor, which is sent you at 6U; & 2li of tobbacco
I procured at another place, which cost ISd per li. I
haue no pepper, but I haue sent 2 ounces of ginger at 3rf,
also I haue sent jrf in white paper : sault, 1 quart sault,
jd ; \li sugar, 20rf ; 4 loafes, 2s. bd. The whole is 9^., &
the bagg & basket to put the things in 6d : so the Lord
blesse you in your proceedings.
Your euer louinge ffreind
William Pynchon.
If you doe your businesse by Indians, you will find it
deerer then to send an Englishman.
As for the blew wampam there is 18^ of it, at 3 a peny,
but I will not take such as this vnder 6 a peny : I had
rather haue white wampam, then bad blew at 6 a peny.
I will kepe it, because you may redeeme it for white, if
you thinke good, our Riuer will vent of any course blew
wampam, as the Bay doth.
I spake to this Indian in your behalfe : I tould him that
the Gouernor sent you to serch for something in the
ground, not for black lead, as they suppose, but for some
other mettell : I tould him that the hill of black lead by
Quassink, was not so good as that which lay southward of
it, nere the cornefield, where one Namoswhat lines. I
suppose it is 5 or 6 miles southward of that place by
Quassink.
I tould the Indian also that the Gouernor did send you
to see what friendship they would shew you. I tould him
also that they might safely trust you, for venison or beanes,
& wished them to let you haue such things vppon trust.
I also shewed him how the trust might be made sure on
both sides : by splitting a sticke in the midle & by mak-
ing notches : euery notch to stand for 6rf. in wampam : &
that the Gouernor (meaninge Mr. Wintrop) would pay
you at Boston in the springe of the yeere, though it were
20 fatham.
48
378 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1646.
He tould me also that they would sell you beanes &
come & deere, as soone as they tak any deere: but I
feare they will make you pay well for it. I giue for a
good doe, 2 fatham, for a fawne of a yeere, 1 fatham :
though yet I have bought none, nor do not expect any this
14 dayes at sonest.
Indorsed by John Winthrop, Jr., " Mr. Pinclien to Mr. Day about an
other place of Blacklead."
WILLIAM PYXCHON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Sprixgefeld, this 7 of the 5 m, 1646.
Mr. Gouernor, — I received your letter by one of Mr.
Shepherds company, & thank you for your intelligence
about the state of things in England. I conceiue it is
now out of doubt that the Parliament haue preuailed ouer
the malignant party, & though there be some iarrs be-
tweene the Scotts & the parliament, yet I hope it Avill be
reconsild without a warre. It would be an odious thing,
all the world ouer, if such conioyned freinds in the com-
mon cause of religion should now fale together by the
eares for smaler matters.
We haue a hand of God vppon vs on the River, in
that our English come is so much deuored by multitudes
of catterpillars ; the Lord affect our hartes, & humble vs
kindly in the sight of our sins & provocations.
As for Daniell Turner, which I imprisoned with a lock,
& committed him to the constable to worke with the lock
on his leg in the day tyme, but ordered to hang a chaine
vppon him in the night tyme : & so he did the first night,
& made account to doe so the next night, but whiles the
conestable was stept out of dores, he slipt away with his
lock on : & in the night tyme came agane & entred into
1646.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 379
the howse, for in the morning, when the conestable came
in, he found 2 whit blanketts that were hanged vppon a
beame gon : & the flocks shaked out of the tyke, & both
bed tyk & boulster, & a bushell of meale in a bagg gon.
I ofFerd our Indians a fathom of wampam to bringe him
againe, but I herd by some of them that he was in that
setlement, but now I heere by some of Mr. Shepherds
company, especially by Mr. Damfort, that one Groug, that
kepes the ordenary at Sudbury, tould him that theer was a
yong fellow latly gon from his howse, that said he came
from Springfeld, & that he would put himself into one of
the men of warr. He said also that he had formerly
dwelt with Mr. Starr, & he was in a whit wastcoate, & in
a white j)air of drawers, & that he had a pair of wodden
held shoes. This is the clearer. He hath mad his clothes
of the whit blanketts he stole, & sould the other things to
the Indians for wampam ; for he paid him in wampam : but
when he was at Springfeld his iacket & breeches was made
of mose skinn, but he had a payer of high heeld shoes. He
stole also a pair of sizors, with which it seemcs he cut out
his sute. It is lik you may here tj^dings of him. If he be
not suddenly taken, he knowes the way so well to play the
theife, that he will do more robberies quickly,
I perceiue by some godly ministers that haue wrote into
this country, that this is not a tvme of reformation, but of
liberty of conscence. I beleeve by that tyme they see a litle
more of the lawlesscncsse of liberty of conscience, they will
change their iudgmentt, & say that liberty of consience
will giue liberty to Satlian to broch such horrid blasphe-
mose oppinions, as were not the like in any age. The
Lo[rd] awaken some able men to confut that viQe] tenent.
I spake to Mr. Olcot to ship some come & benes for me
at Hart[ford]. Mr. Olcot refused to doe it, vnlesse I would
haue it entred accord[ing] to their order : else he said it
might come into a great deale of ['o^^]. I wrote to Mr.
Olcot that we being of the Bay jurisdiction, were no[t]
380 THE WINTHROP PAPERS, [1646.
within the compasse of their order: therevppon I gave
order [to] him that shipped our goods not to enter them ;
& I tould him that if they would arest our goods, I had
rather they should doe it now then another tyme. Yet
Mr. Olcot perswaded him that shipped my goods to enter
them, contrary to my expresse order. Since that tyme I
shipped more corne, which I gaue order should not be
entered : & it was not, neather is it arested that I heere of.
Methinkes it is strange to my vnderstandinge, that they
should so much as once offer to make vs pay to the pur-
chase of their fort pattent & howseinge, seeing we haue no
interest therin, as all ioynt purchasers must haue. They
plead we ought to pay to that purchase as well as them-
selues, because we haue as much benifit by the fort as
themselues : that plea must stay till there be a fort there,
& till it be maintained as a fort. That plea cannot fetch
vs in to pay towards this purchase, except we consented,
•
& had an equall interest therin with themselues. But if
we should be forced to such a thinge, this plantation will
be deserted. I think no man will dwell heere to be
brought vnder such payments. I desyre your advise,
whether we were best to enter our goods or no. My owne
apprehensions are that we ought not to doe it : & so Jeho-
vah cause His face to shine vppon you euer.
Your assured louinge brother euer,
William Pynchon.
I heere that Gorton arested Captaine Cook & Mr. Tyng
for satisfaction of the wrongs don him by the Bay : but
there is a speciall prouidence of God in that act, to clere
the iustice of the Bay, & to open his infamy to the world,
for he was whipped & stockd for his lewdnesse by the
Hand themselues. This Avill clere the justice of New
England to the Parliament more then any thing that man
could haue devised, by that tyme the answer is returned.
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop, " Mr. Pynchon, (5) 46."
1646.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 381
WILLUM PYNCHON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Springefeild this 9 of the 1. m. 1646.
Worthy & much respected, — I received your letter
by my neighbor Cooper : & am glad to heere of your wel-
fare. I received also your extracts, & after I had coppied
them, I sent your coppie to Mr. Hopkins as you directed.
I cannot but be much affected with that malignant spirit
that breathes out in their endeuors, because by their man-
ner of proceedinge (though they pretend honest reforma-
tion, yet) it seemes to me they would destroy both Church
& Commonwealth, in laboring for a generall Governor, &
in charging treason by conniuence vppon the Court, not
consideringe that the Parliament it self is faint to bearc
much about speeches & books printed, which doubtlesse
they would not beare if it were a tyme of solid peace.
But how soeuer, their endeuors cannot but haue an ill
construction ; yet I thinke the Courte both of magistrates
& deputies, should not tume of all the particulars wherein
they desyre a reformation, without making a right vse of so
much of their position as doth iustly cale for reformation :
for as we had the happinesse to be bredd & borne vnder
such lawes for ciuill gouerment as I conceiue no nation hath
better, so it should be our care, in thankefulnesse both to
God & that state, to preserue & adhere to what euer lawes
or customes they haue, except those that be contrary to
God, & therin we must obey God & not man, & yet we
haue liberty from the pattent to make what soeuer by
lawes may tend to the good of this place : & I cannot but
apprehend that your spirit lies this way, for I remember at
oure first comminge, as soone as euer the people were
diuided into seuerall plantations, you did presently nomi-
nate a conestable for each plantation, as the most common
officers of the king's peace, & gaue them their oath in true
382 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1646.
substance as the conestables take it in England : likewise
all controuersies about meum & tuum were trj'ed by juries,
after the manner of England, & after a while grand juries
were appointed, for further inquiry into such matter as
might tend to the king's peace ; & still thes courses, I thinke,
are contin[ued,] & thes courses are the best courses that this
Commonwealth can take, if they ha[ue] free liberty to alter :
as Fortescue in commedation of the lawes of England [to]
my satisfaction doth shew. He giues good reasons for the
necessary vse of juries for all tryalls, shewing that it is con-
sonant to the word of God, & preferrs it far aboue the
course of justice in France, which is also of high respect.
But that wherein I feare the Generall Court is most faulty
is, in that they doe not issue out all warrantes in the name
of the kinge : I know no hurt in it : for what though the
kinge be neuer so corrupt in religion & manners, yet if his
subjectes will be faithfuU to the lawes of England, he can-
not hurt his subjects, for when warrantes are issued out in
the name of the kinge, they are not issued out in the name
of his personall prerogatiues, but in the name of his power,
which is his lawes, & therefore if his subjectes will stickc
to his lawes, (as the Parliament do at this day) the king
cannot wrong them. Thes things you know much better
then my selfe.
Againe, by the lawes of England, if any of our people
will stand vppon the priuiledge of an English subject, they
may, I conceiue, lawfull[y] disobey warrants of processe,
or attachments & the like, in case the warrants be not made
in dew fourme, accordinge to the lawes of England : as,
for example, if they be not dated, or if they be dated in
any place out of the Jurisdiction, or if they be not sub-
scribed by such as are in authority, thes & many such like
circumstances may mak warrantes illegall, & so a nullety,
as Dalton in his Country lustice sheweth at large ; & to my
greefe I hauc secne many warrantes failing in thes circum-
stances. But aboue all, if warrants be not sent out in the
1646.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. » 383
name of the king, they are not legall : we are not a fFree
state, neather do I apprehend that magistrates, elders, or
deputies doe think we are a fFree state, neather do I think
it our wisdome to be a flfree state ; though we had our lib-
erty, we cannot as yet subsist without England.
But as for their desyre of an inouation in church [^o^n]
not proceed out of zeale of Gods glory, neather is the
reform [^m] that they can as yet presume what it will be
for there [tom] breach betweene Presbuterians about set-
tling the presbute [tom"^ betweene them as betweene the
presbeterians & the independa [fem] that if the most mini-
sters in England were for the indepen [^om] New England,
that the parliament would as soone establish the indep
[^om] for they are at a great distance with the Scotish way :
for the parliament doe not hould any certaine fourme of
church gouerment to be commanded in the particulars
thereof, as the only way of Christ, as the Scotts do : for
the Scotts say that their fourme of presbuterian gouerment
is the only way of Clirist, & the Independents say that their
fourme of discipline is the only way of Christ. But the
Parliament say that neather of them is the only way of
Christ, & therefore they haue ordained Comissioners to
superuise the conclusions of the presbuterian Courtes.
But truly where zeale of God's glory & godly wisdome are
ioyned together : a world of good hath bin don by godly
ministers, euen in England, that haue held no certaine
fourme of discipline : on the contrary, where a could spirit
doth rule in ministers, though they may haue a good fourme
of gouerment, there people may be said to haue a name to
line. & vet be but dead christians.
I thanke you also for the coppie of the Generall Court,
about declaring their iudgment for our paying to the piu*-
chase or custome of the Ilivers mouth. I received the lik
from the Secretarj^ but I did not think it wisdome to send
it to Mr. Hopkins, because I here by severall persons that
he & Mr. Whiting were chosen Commissioners, & that they
384 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1W6,
did resolue, if they can, to bring vs vnder their power in
that point. The point hath bin disputed among themselues,
& some of their deputies would not haue vs to pay, fearing
least the Bay may do the lik to them : but it seemes they
think you cannot by the lik iustice make them pay, as
they haue to mak your subjectes pay to them.
Lately my son was at Hartford, & spake of this coppi
to one of Hartford, who spake of it to the gouernor. After
that the gouernor askd my son if I had not sent the coppi
to him. He said no, & so they had no more speach : but
the next day the former party tould my son, that Mr. Hop-
kins said it was nothing to them what the Generall Court
had don in the Bay ; for the Court of Commissioners was
the Supreame Court, & what they did must stand ; & there-
in it is likely they may haue the vantage of the Bay, for
when Mr. Endicot came last from New Hauen, he tould
me that New Hau[en] Commissioners were wholly for our
payeing to the River, & that Plimouth Commissioners were
wholy silent: but methinks, seeing you haue made an
order to fr[ee the] Vnited Colonies from all charges to
that fort in the Bay, it may be a leading principle to them
to think it but iustice that the River should do the lik for
your subjectes ; or else if they begin, & you should with-
draw that order, & make them all contribute, it would not
be so much sauoring of mutuall concord as ought to be.
Mr. Endicot did shew himself faithfull to the Common-
wealth in not yeelding at that tyme, & yet I had not spoken
so much as the least word to him about it, neather did it
come into my minde till his returne, & then he tould me
how earnest the Riuer were to haue them yeeld.
There was also an order of Generall Court sent to the
conestable for a leuie vppon our plantation. But I shall
write to goodman John[son] about that, if the messenger
will but stay. The summe is this, to intreat the Court, in
the name of our plantation, to spare them for this yeere,
promisinge to be ready to expresse their willingnesse for
1648.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 385
tyme to come. He will acquaint you more fully with our
desyr, hoping you will be pleased to solicit the Generall
Court for their forbearance for this yere.
There is no newcs worth the writing, but we are all in
good health at present. I pray remember my best respect
to your wif & to your sonns & daughters: & I would
intreate you, if you think good, to shew this letter to
goodman Johnson who is my vsuall agent in matters that
may conserne our plantation ; & I haue not tj^me to writ to
him as I would. So the God of all peas be with you euer.
Amen. Your assured louing brother euer,
William Pynchon.
Hast — hast.
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop, "Mr. Pincheon, Rec: 16 (1) 46."
WILLIAM PYNCHON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his honored ffreind Mr, John Wintrop Oouernor at Boston
this dlr.
Springfeild, this 19 October, 1648.
Sir, — I cannot omitt to writ to you now & then,
though I haue no matters of consequence to impart vnto
you. I know no late newes, since I wrot to my sonn, who
I mak accent did impart to you what I wrote to him.
When Mr. Hopkins returned home, he came wett to
my howse, & taried till next day, almost mid-day after, but
he spake nothing to me, nor I to him, about our busi-
nesse : but I vnderstand from my sonn that all the pains
of the Committy hath bin in effectuall hitherto. Ther-
vppon I haue written a letter to Goodman Johnson, who
is my faithfuU agent, to communicate my further appre-
49
386 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1648.
hensions to the Commissioners, & if they see any thing in
it, worthy notinge, then it is to be commended to the
consideration of the Generall Court : & now at this tyme
also the Generall Court is begun at Harteford ; I think
yesterday it begann.
One thinge I cannot omitt to write vnto you. When
Mr. Ludlo lay at my howse he tould me that he saw two
sheets of the orders printed, & he did much blame the
meanesse of their framing & contriuinge, & wished they
might be corrected before any coppies were sent into
other parts. But often tymes it fals out that a man may
be one of the. 20 that will find fault, & yet be none of the
20 that will mend them.
I much longe to heere out of England. I look vppon
that land as in the saddest posture that euer they were,
for danger of ruine. The Lord in mercy turne the whele
vppon the wicked, & let them that loue the Lord in sin-
cerity shine as the sunn in its strength.
So resteth your assured louing brother in the Lord,
W. Pynchon.
1636.] THE WINTHEOP PAPERS. 387
LETTERS OF THOMAS HOOKER .♦
THOMAS HOOKER TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his much Honored & worthy freind Mr. John Wynthroppj
Oovemor, at the moiUh of the river of Conitticut, these.
Worthy Sir, — Your letter coming but late this even-
ing, immediatly before your servants were returning, I am
forced to shorten these few lynes. Your charge & advise
is seasonable, & so exceeding vsefull, that I should be much
awanting in my duty to God, & that due respect I owe
vnto your self, if I should not help forward the execu-
tion of so good a work. I haue observed in my life tyme
that want of prudence & providence hath occasioned the
most of hazards that befall men in their life. I desire
that we may not preiudice the Lords care he hath had of
our preservation, & our owne comforts : for the way is
open & easy, in my apprehension, to prevent any pretend-
ed evill, if we be faythfull to attend God's way. I heard
but this day, how likely the trade is to miscary, for want
of care in setling of it If you be pleased suddaynly to
advise, that a course may be taken by the mutuall agree-
ment of all the plantations, & that execution may be
* Rev. Thomas Hooker was born in Leicestershire, England. He was educated at
Emanuel GollegOf Cambridge, and was afterwards chosen one of the Fellows. Subsequently
he became a lecturer at Chelmsford, in Essex ; and preached for a time in London. Being
subject to annoyance for his Puritanism, he went to Holland; where he spent four years in
the exercise of his profession. He came to this country in 1688, in company with the
Rev. Samuel Stone and Rev. John Cotton ; arriving at Boston 4th September. He settled at
Cambridge, but in June, 1636, went to Hartford with a majority of his parishioners, where
he resided till his death, 7th July, 1647, in his sixty-first year. He was one of the most distin-
guished of the early clergymen of New England. See Wiothrop^s Hist, of N. £., i. 108,
109; Savage*s Geneal. Diet.; Allen's Biog. Diet. — Eds.
388 THE WnCTHBOP PAPESS. [1637.
speedy, & through for the accomplyshment of it, it may
yet be recovered, but delay will breed a vtter & irrecover-
able decay. The good Lord bless you in your way &
work: which he wisheth who is
Yours in all due respect, T: Hooker.
Indorsed by John Winthrop, Jr., *^Mr. Hooker, 1636 J*^
THOMAS HOOKER TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his much honored /reind John Wynirop Esquier his house at
Boston dd.
Much Honored in our Blessed Saviour, — When I
first heard of those heavy distractions which have risen so
vnexpectedly, I did reioyce from the root of my heart,
that the Lord did, & hath gratiously kept you from any
taynt of those new-coyned conceits. The Lord strenghth-
en & establish you in every holy word & work. In a good
cause He hath given you gratious abilitjes to do Him
much service, & I am perswaded He will blesse you in
such indeavors. You know my playnnesse : you can not
keepe your comfort, nor an honorable respect in Christ in
the hearts of His, more then in keeping closse to the
truth. You shall have what interest I have in heaven to
help you in that work. How the Pequoyts have made an
inrode, by a suddayne surprisall, vpon some of our brethren
of Watcrtowne,* slayyng weomen & children, who were
sent out carelessly, without watch & guard, this bearer
will tell you.
Though we feele nether the tyme nor our strenght fitt
for such a service, yet the Indians here, our f rends, werr so
importunate with vs to make warr presently, that vnlesse
• This attack of the Peqaots upon Watertown (now Wethersfield), Conn., took place
in April, 1637. — Eds.
1642.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 389
we had attempted some thing, we had delivered our per-
sons vnto contempt of base feare & cowardise, & caused
them to turne enemyes agaynst vs. Agaynst our mynds,
being constrayned by necessaty, we haue sent out a com-
pany, taking some Indians for guides with vs. What is
done, you will better heare it by report, then I shall relate it
by penn, for our men went downe as these pynaces came to
vs. Only we heare, ther is six of the Pequoyts slayne by
our Indians, not far from the fort. I hope you see a
necessity to hasten execution, & not to do this work of the
Lords revenge slackly. I shall commend the cause to
your love & wisdome, & your self to the rich mercy of our
God in Christ, & in all thankfulnes for all your love^
rest
Yours in all due respect T: Hooker.
THOMAS HOOKER TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To his much Honoured /reind John Wyntropp Eaquier, Oovemor
of the plantations in the Matcheshusets Bay, dd.
Much Honored in our Blessed Saviour, — Atthere-
tume of our Magistrates, when I vnderstood the gratious
& desired successe of ther indeavor, and by the ioynt rela-
tion of them all, not only your christian readines, but
enlarged faythfullnes in an especiall maimer to promote so
good a work ; though the appearance of flattery (if I
know my self & be knowne to you) be not only crosse to
my conscience but to my disposition, yet my heart would
not suffer me but as vnfeynedly to acknowledge the Lords
goodnes, so affectionately to remember your candid & cor-
diall cariage in a matter of so great consequence ; laboring
by your speciall prudence to settle a foundation of safety
and prosperity in succeeding ages : a work which will be
found not only for your comfort, but for your crowne at
390 THE WINTHROP PAFERS. [1642.
the great day of your account.* Its the greatest good that
can befall a man in this world, to be an instrument ynder
God to do a great deale of good. To be the repayrer of
the breach, was of old counted matter of highest prayse
& acceptance with God & man : much more to be a meanes,
not only to mayntayne peace & truth in your dayes, but to
leave both, as a legacy to those that come after, vntill the
coming of the Sonne of God in the clouds.
I know my place & I would not abuse your pacience, or
hyndfer greater imployments : my ayme is nakedly this ; to
be in the number, & to have my voice with those, that
whyle your self & your faythfull Assistants, (as Zerubba-
bell & his fellow helpers) be laying the first stone of the
foundation of this combynation of peace, I may crye grace,
grace, to your indeavors. And by presenting the worth
and acceptablenes of the work before you, to strengthen
your hands, & encorage your hearts to proceed on with
blessing & successe. Goe on therefore (worthy Sir) & be
ever enlarged in such worthy services, & the God of truth
& peace will ever be with you, which he desires dayly to
begg, who desires to be
Yours in all due respect Tho : Hooker :
The 15th of the 5th mon : 1642 : Sea-brooke :
Indorsed by Grov. Winthrop, " Mr. Hooker Grat [^m] Rec : (5) 24,
1643."
* The writer is here evidently referring to the agency of Winthrop in the establishment
of the " Confederacy ** of the New-England Colonies, which was happily brought about
this year. The Commissioners of Plymoath, Connecticut, and New Haven, and the Gene-
ral Court of Massachusetts, met at Boeton in May of this year, and substantially agreed
upon the ** Articles of Confederation." — See Hazard, ii. 1 et seq.
A most interesting and important letter of Thomas Hooker to Gov. Winthrop has been
found by J. H. Trumbull, Esq., Secretary of State of Connecticut, within a few years paf^t, in
the Massachusetts Archives in the State House, and is printed in the first volume of the
Collections of the Connecticut Historical Society. It is in reply to the letter of Winthrop
to Hooker (not known to be extant), of which a summary is given by W^inthrop himself
in his History (see addenda to second volume of Winthrop*s Hist, of N.E., p. 428). The
correspondence took place in the autumn of 1688. If the perusal of it should leave an
impression that there had been any disagreement between these old New-England wor-
thies, the beautiful tribute which Hooker pays to Winthrop*s conduct and character, in the
letter here given, would be sufficient to show that such disagreement was of short dura-
tion.—Eds.
1627.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 391
LETTERS OF ROBERT RYECE*
ROBERT RYECE TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the very WoorahipfuU his moche respected good friende Mr.
Wynthop geve these at Orotton.
WooRSHiPFULL SiR, — I am very lyke, the Lorde assist-
inge, to be with you the nexte Lords daye, to performe in
that, behalfe what yee haue desyred.f I thanke you for
your lettres, & for your soonnes lettres, J which I heere re-
tomed agayne. I sende you of France suche a mappe as
I have.
The messenger hasteth his retome, which maketh mee
breefe. And so with remembrance of my beste respecte
vnto you & vnto Mres. Wynthrop, I take my leave &
remayne Yours euer redely to his power
Robert Ryece.
Preston, 23 of Auguste 1627.
* Robert Byece, of Preston, in the county of Suffolk, sometimes called the Suffolk
Antiquary, is said to have ** had his education some years in the house of Mr. Theodore
Beza, at Geneva,*' and to have been ** an accomplished gentleman and a great preserver of
the antiquities of this county." His wife was Mary Appleton, of Little Waldingfleld ;
of the same family with our honored benefactor, the late Samuel Appleton, Esq., of Bos-
ton, to whose bounty we owe the Publishing Fund, from the income of which this volume
is printed. One of Robert Ryece's nephews has left this testimony to his character: **He
was bountiful to the poor, good to his friends, a Christian to his enemies, gentle to all, and
to mo a good uncle : so I testify. — Robert Appleton." Ryece seems to have written to
Governor Winthrop under more names than his own. The absolute identity of handwriting
would leave no doubt, even if other evidences were wanting, that the letter signed Laufrence
Browi%€y and the three letters signed Thomas SmyOie, all of which will presently be given,
were as much Ryece's as those which bear his own signature. The letters signed with his
own name will be given first in their order; and opportunity may be found, in connection
with the others, for further reference to this mystery. Ryece died about 1638. For his
Will, and other illustrations of his life and character, see ** Memorial of Samuel Appleton,
of Ipswich, Mass.," &c.: Boston, 1850, pp. 70-82. — Eds.
t Winthrop*s son Samuel was baptized at Groton, 26 August, 1627; and Ryece may
have been invited to stand godfather. — Eds.
I John Winthrop, Jr., was at this time serving in the Duke of Buckingham's expedi-
tion to the Isle of Rli^; and his letters thence had doubtless been sent to Ryece for
perusal. — Eds.
392 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1629.
ROBERT RYECE TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the Wborship/uUhis moche respected good/riende Mr. Wynthrop
at Bury J geve these.
Sir, — Were I able to ryde so farre, I woolde wyllingly
haue attended you this daye, not for the leaste abyllytie of
any service which I can performe, but to shewe the beste
of my affection to so deservinge a good friende. ffor the
subiecte you wTytte of, breefely & playnelye to shewe you
my mynde, what so ever other saye, I pray you geve mee
leave in one woorde to shewe you. The Church & Com-
mon welthe heere at home, hathe more neede of your beste
abyllytie in these dangerous tymes, then any remote plan-
tation, which may be performed by persons of lesser
woorthe & apprehension, which I coolde shewe, yf I had
tyme to thinke vpon dyversities of reasons which mighte
be produced. Agayne, your owne estate wylbe more
secured in the myddest of all accidents heere at home,
then in this forreine expedition, which discovereth a 1000
shipwrackes which may betyde. All your kynsfolkes &
raoste vnderstandinge friendes wyll more reioyce at your
stayenge at home, with any condition which God shall
sende, then to throwe your selfe vpon vayne hopes, with
many difficulties & vncertaynties. Agayne, you shalbe
more acceptable in the service of the Hieste, & more vnder
His protection whiles you walke charely in your vocation
heere at home, then to goe owte of your vocation, comyt-
tinge your selfe to a woorlde of dangers abroade. The
pype goeth sweete, tyll the byrde be in the nett; many
bewtifuU hopes ar sett before your eyes to allewer you to
danger. Plantations ar for yonge men, that can enduer
all paynes & hunger. Yf in your yewthe you had byn
acquaynted with navigation, you mighte haue promised
your selfe more hope in this longe vyadge, but for one of
1629.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 393
your yceres to vndertake so large a taske is seldome seene
but to miscarry. To adventure your wholle famylly vpon
so many manifeste vncerteynties standeth not with your
wysdome & longe experience. Lett yonger yeeres take
this charge vpon them, with the advyse of that which elder
yeeres shall directe them vnto, the losse shalbe the lesse
yf thay myscarry ; but there honor shalbe the more if thay
prosper. So longe as you sytt at the helme, your famylie
prospereth,but yf you shoold happen to fayle, your flocke
woolde be at the leaste in hazarde, if not totally to mys-
carrye. Yonge mens directions thowghe sometymes with
some successe, do not all wayes succeede. These remote
partes wyll not well agree with your yeeres ; whiles you
are heere you wj'U be ever fytter by your vnderstandinge
& wysdome to supplye there necessities. But if it shoolde
happen that you shoolde gett safely thither, you shall
soone fynde, how necessitie wyll calle for supplie from
these partes. I pray you pardon my boldnes, that had
rather erre in what I thinke, then to be sylente in that I
shoolde speake. How harde wyll it bee for one browghte
vp amonge boockes & learned men, to lyve in a barbarous
place, where is no learnynge & lesse cyvillytie. I beseeche
the Lorde to directe you, & to keepe you in all your wayes.
Thus in haste with the beste remembrance of my true affec-
tion vnto you, I leave you to the protection of the AU-
miglitye and do reste
Yours ever in all true affection
ROBT. Ryfx'e.
Prestox, this 12 of Auguste, 1629.*
• The (luto of this letter was just a fortnight before that of the memorable Agreement
at Cambridge, by which Wintlirop and others pledged themselves to embark for New
England. AVinthrop had doubtless invited Ryece and others to meet him at Bury to con-
sult on the subject. — Ei>s.
50
394 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
ROBERT RYECE TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the very woorship/ull hys mooche honored good ffriende Mr.
Wynthop at his howse at Boston in Newe Englande geve these.
MOSTE DEERE & CHRISTIAN FfRIENDE, YoUT mOSte
kynde lettres of the 29 of June 1636, came safely to my
handes the 3 : of November laste, by which I doe perceyve,
you had not then received any lettres from me for this
yeere. Sir, your contynewall love to Gods Church, & His
servantes, doothe euer make mee so longe as I lyve to be
myndefull of you, even with my beste endeavours : and for
writinge to you, 1 wrotte vnto you the 17 of Maye laste,
accompanied with a boxe of boocks, which I sente by my
brother Samuell Appleton, to be convayed to hym for you ;
nowe yf thay bee not yett come to your handes, as I feare
thay are not, for abowte the 8 of this moneth I received
lettres from my brother Samuell, dated the 19: of October
laste, by which I perceyve he had not then received my
lettres, nor sondry other thinges accompanied therewith ;
ffrom whence I do feare, as many others else doe heere,
that the schippe with the passengers, mooche stufFe &
goods, are all perished by the waye. I wrotte also vnto
you the 9 of September laste, which I hope maye be safely
come to your hands, and I hope agayne by the nexte op-
portunitie, God wyllinge, to wryte vnto you. I am muche
beholdinge vnto you for your lettres and advertisements,
beinge very sory I can not now make any requitall agayne.
I am styll a bolde petitioner to you to helpe vs to a mappe
of your contry as it is now inhabited, & is iojued with new
plantation of Conetticote, & yf wee lyve, wee hope to be
very thankefuU for the same.
There is a matter wherein I am entreated to wryte vnto
you, in the behalfe of one Mres. Sarah the wyfe of Mr.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 395
Henry, sumamed the blacke Henry Coppinger of Laven-
ham, that whereas now allmoste 4 yeeres synce the sayd
Mres Sarah had owte of the frugallitie of hir owne laborious
industr}'e, withoute the privitie of hir husbande, gathered
the summe of xj/i, which desyringe to putt it owte for
benefyte of hir poore children, yonge Hamonde heere of
Lannam then beinge heere, & vnderstandinge of hir pur-
pose, moved Hamonde [sic] for the mony, promisinge resti-
tution after a yeere, with as moche more for the gayne.
Heerevpon, heere more xx5 was delivered with the mony,
in good penny woothes of goods, & Wylliam Payne, late of
Lanham, nowe of Newe Englande, gave them his woorde
for the repaymente of the said 12/f, with the profitt thereof
arisynge within a yeere; synce which tyme shee never
harde of Hamonde, one whitt, but that he is deade, &
shee withowte all meanes for hir mony : ffrom whence shee
hearinge that you have in Newe Englande all good lawes
to recover debttes, entreated mee to wryte vnto you in her
behalfe, beinge vnknowne to you, to desyer you to com-
mone with olde Hamonde & with WylUam Payne abowte
this debtte, & how it may be recovered. Sir, I praye you
beare with my boldenes, you can not doe a more meritorious
deede, wee wyll all be thankefuU vnto you for it. Newes
wee have none heere that good is. All your friends heere
are well, bothe at Lanham & otherwheare. So remem-
bringe my beste affection vnto you, I ende, beseechinge
the Allmyghtye to keepe you in all your wayes, & do re-
mayne
Yours ever moste bownde in all Christian observance
Robert Ryece.
Preston this : 17 : of January 1636 :
I Thomas Roote, now of Lavenham, doe wytnes that I
harde the sayd Wylliam Payne then heere at Lavenham to
geve his woorde in my presence to Mres Sarah Coppinger,
that yf yonge Hamonde dyd not paye the mony agayne to
396 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
the sayd Mres Sarah Coppinger, that he woolde then make
good & paye the principall which is aleven powndes. And
this can the wydowe Onge, now of Waterton in Newe Eng-
lande, but then of Lavenham, in whose presence & in hir
shoppe wytnes. Thomas Roote.
I haue seene a lettre of the sayd Wylliam Hamonde,
dated at Watertowne in Newe Englande the : 4 : of July :
1635 : to Mres Coppinger, wherein he promised hir, by the
helpe of God, to be heere in Englande, betweene that
& Christetyde nexte followenge, & so to pay hir hir
monye.
I have seene also another lettre dated at Watertowne the
15 of July laste, from William Hamonde the elder to
the sayd Thomas Roote, to desyer hym to goe to his
moother, the widowe Stewarde of Cockefielde, to whom
he had signified in a lettre that shee shoolde paye the mony
in question to the sayd Thomas Roote, for to paye it over to
Mres Coppinger accordingly, but the sayd wydowe Stewarde
denyed the sayd Roote to paye one pennye of it.
Nowe for that it may be demanded whie the husbande
of Mres Coppinger (who is of sufficient abyllytie to deale
in this buysynes) is not prevye to this matter, that is
awnswered, that it is vnseemelye for the wj-fe to reveale
the husbands defects, who if he knewe of it or coolde
fynger it, woolde soone spende it, as formerly myserable
experience bathe tawghte, from whence shee is enforced,
withowte his privitie, to seeke to recoover it, only for the
supplie of hir owne & hir childrens necessitie. And if it
shoolde so falle owte that any waycs paymente heereof
be made, then it is humbly desyred you woolde be pleased
to sende it to mee for hir.
Yours ever & vnfaynedlye Robte. Ryece.
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 397
ROBERT RYECE TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the woorship/uU his moste respected good ffrinde Mr. John
Wrinihrope eaqr. at his hotjose aJt Boston in Newe Englande geve
these.
Sir, — This bearer, Mr. Fyske,* beinge one every waye
so pious & religeous, needes not my comendations of hym,
but the malignitie of the tymes, removinge hym with son-
dry others of his profession into your partes, hathe re-
quired this shorte wrytinge of mee, in his behalfe, that
what iraployement you can procure hym, I may be thanke-
full vnto you for it. Hee is a graduate, & havinge preached
mooche, seinge the danger of the tymes, he changed his
profession of divinitie into phisicke, wherein he hathe now
laste warde employed hym selfe. He is a good schoUar &
an honeste man. I pray pardon my abrupte & sooddeyne
writinge. I can stay no longer, but after the true remem-
brance of my beste respecte vnto you, I take my leave this
19 of Apryll, 1637, and do remayne
Yours euery wayes mooche bownde
RoBTE. Rtece.
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop, " Mr. Rjece per Mr. Fiske."
* The writer refers to the Rev. John Fiske, who was bom at St. James's Parish, in
South Khnhnra, Suffolk, 1601, and educated at King*s College, Cambridge. He came over
in 1637; settled first at Cambridge, but removed the same year to Salem, where he taught
the grainmiir school; Sir George Downing being among his pupils. He was ordained at
Weiiliiim, 8 Oct., 1644; and removed to Chelmsford in 1665, where he died 14 Jan., 1677.
Mather's Magualia, iii, xxiv; Allen's Hist of Chelmsford, pp. 119-126; Savage's Geneal.
Diet. — Eds.
398 THE WINTHBOP PAPERS. 11636.
BOBEBT BYECE TO JOHN WINTHBOP.
(LAWRENCE BROWNE.*)
Whereas abowte 12 moneth synce came forthe a boocke
in defence of the orthodoxall doctrine of the church of
Englande against Sabbatarian noveltie, whereat many
began secretly to murmure, for that it was bytter, & dyd
overthrowe the tenents of the church of Englande, in that
poynte which none durste publickly oppose, bycawse many
defended it so earnestly, at the length, abowte whitsontyde
laste, there was scattered abroade a very lytle treatise of
16 leaves, in 4to, entyteled a briefe awnswere to a late
treatise of the Sabbath daye, digested dialogue wyse be-
tweene 2 divines, A & B, withowte the name of any
awthor.
These 2 divines meetinge & conferringe of this boocke,
the one of them thowghte it a verve dangerous boocke
to the awthor, if it mighte be well examined before compe-
tente judges, bycawse, as he sayeth, it overthroweth the
doctryne of the church of Englande, in the poynte of the
Sabbathe, for the very tytle is A defense of the Ortho-
DOXAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH OF EnGLANDE AGAYNST
* The handwriting of this letter is the same with that of the four letters which have
preceded it, and is unquestionably that of Robert Ryece. We have preferred to give those
bearing his own name first and together; but it will be perceived that this letter, under the
assumed name of Lawrence Browne, was written a few months earlier than either of the two
last of those under his own name. In addition to the evidence of handwriting, it will be
observed that the letter preceding the last given makes distinct reference to this one. It
says, " I wrotte also vnto you the 9 of Sqjtember kuie,*" — which is the exact date of this
letter; and adds, ** I am styll a bolde petitioner to you to helpe vs to a mappe of your contry
as it is now inhabited;** while this letter says, in a marginal postscript, "I praye you
remember the plott or mappe of New Englande.** We shall see more of this mystery in
the three lettere which follow this. — Eoe.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 399
Sabbatarian Noueltye. Those divine[s] she we that the
boocke is dedicated to the Archbishop of Canterbury,*
by whose direction, &, that accordinge to his Majestyes
sacred comande, he sett vpon this woork bothe for the
preventinge of mischeefe, (as he sayeth in his Epistlle
dedicated to the Archbishop) & to setle the Kinges good
subiectes, who of longe tyme had byn dystracted abowte
Sabbatarian questions. Nexte of all these devynes doe
shewe that the awthor can have but smalle thankes for his
labor, when as the King, who is the defender of the faythe
of the church of Englande, hathe often solomly protested
& that in his publicke declarations, in printe, as at the
dissolvinge of the parliamente, & declaration before the 39
Articles, that he wyll neuer suffer therein the leaste
iNNouATioN. So agayue one of them alledgeth there ad-
versary is a greate schoUer, deepely learned, a Reuerende
father of the church, his judgemente must be taken for an
oracle. Accordinge to that, in a late boocke established
by aucthoritie, as the Communion boocke expounded by
Reue, page 20, sayeth, that the holy fathers in God, the
Bishops, are to be guydes in divinitie, vnto the wholle
clargie of inferior order, vnto whose godly judgements in
all matters pertayninge to religeon all owghte to submitte
them selves, bycawse the fathers in the church now & all-
wayes doe in the greate mistery of Godlines comprehende,
which the common people do not ; and some thinges which
the ministers of the inferiour order do not apprehende, so
that wha[t]soeuer thay delyver muste be beleeved as sownde
rewles. And heere the divines take occasion to speake
that wee lyve in a learned age, that wee denie the popes
infallabyllytie, or that it can convaye it selfe as from the
heade, & so confine it selfe within the veines of the body
of the prelacye ; or that a rochett can confine this grace
ex opere operato. Then thay saye thay had neede to vin-
* Land. — Eds.
400 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
dicate not only the doctrine of the church of Englandq,
which is by this boocke cleane overthrowne, but also those
calumnious & odious teannes which he geveth to those
whose opinions he impugneth in this treatise, as venemous
serpents, noysome tares, pestilente weeds, vncleane beastes
& novell Sabbatarians.
Now to shewe how the doctryne of the church of Eng-
lande is overthrowne in this poynte of the Sabbath, these
divines say that the doctrine of the church of Englande
conceminge the Sabbath is moste cleerely sett downe in
the boocke of homylyes, vnto which all mynisters do sub-
scribe, & by 39 Articles is comended as whollsome, neces-
sary, &c. Heere the severall places are alledged at large,
& then observeth owte of them these conclusions, as 1, That
all Christians are bownde in conscience of the 4 comandi-
mente to keepe the Lords day holyly. Secondly, that by
force of the 4 comandimente one day in 7 is perpetually
to be kepte holy. Thirdly, that the keepinge of the Lords
day is grownded vpon & commanded in the 4 comandi-
mente, & so is not of humane institution, fforthely, that the
Lords daye is & may be called our Christian Sabbath daye,
there fore it is not Jewish, so to call it. Sly, that this daye
is wholly to be spente in holy reste & dutyes of sanctifica-
tion, & therefore no parte of it owghte to be spcutc in
vayne pleasures and prophane sportes, all which conclu-
sions the adversarye overthroweth by this boocke.
The adversary to this sayeth that this position (to wytt
the 4 comandimente is properly & perpetuallye morall ; &
is for qualytie & obligation equall to the other 9 comandi-
mentes) which for many yeeres hathe reigned in pamph-
letts, pulpitts, & coventicles, (& is entertayned as an oracle
by all suche as eyther openly professe, or do leane to the
desciplinarian faction) is destitute of tnithe. These woords
compared to the homylye ar fownde quite contrarye.
The divine sayeth that the 4 comandimente determynes
expressely the tyme & daye for the Sabothe & service of
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 401
God. The keepinge of the Lord's day is grownded
vpon the equitie of the 4 comandimente. The tyme
for this resteth in no mans pover to determyn, but only
in God.
The adversary sayeth the particular forme & circum-
stances of restinge are prescribed vnto vs by the precepts
of the church, our spirituall actions are tawghte by the
Evangelicall lawe : our modification, limitation in respecte
of rytes, forme, place, duration, gesture, habytt &c. are
prescribed by the lawe of the church & so page 270. It
was in the free election of the church to appoynte what
day or dayes or tymes shee thowghte good for religeous
dutyes, &c.
The devines saye that the 4 comandimente prescribes a
certa}Tie proportion of tyme, & a fixed daye, consecrated by
God hjin selfe vnto His solemne & sacred woorship, which
in that very respecte is perpetually morall. The adversary
confesseth naturall equitie in the 4 comandimente, that some
tyme is to be sett aparte for the service of God, but lefte
to the liberty of the church to determyn & lymytt the speciall
tyme when, & how longe, what portion or proportion is to
be allowed, whither one day in 20, or 40, or 100, or one
day in the yeere, or but one peece of a daye in suche a re-
volution of t)'me, & not one whoUe or entjTC daye, muche
lesse one wholle daye in euery 7. And so page 98, the 4
comandimente in respecte of any one defenite & speciall
daye of every weeke, was not symply & perpetually morall
but posityve & temporary onlye.
This the divines say is contrary to the homylies, even
in terminis^ which saye by the 4 comandimente wee owghte
to have a tyme, as one day in a weeke, &c., & this appurtayn-
eth to the lawe of nature as a thinge moste godly, moste
juste, & needefuU for the settinge forthe of Gods glory, &
therefore owghte to be retayned & kepte of all good Chris-
tian people. No, sayeth the adversary, one day in the
weeke was but posityve & temporary only.
51
402 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 11636.
But the divine, leavinge to presse the adversary any more
with auctorytie of the church, obseiTeth these reasons &
growndes owte of the woords of the comandimente, Re-
member the Sabboth daye to keepe it holy, which woords
are the very morall substance of the 4 comandimente. The
Lord sayeth not. Remember to sanctifye some conveniente
& sufficiente tyme, as the church shall thinke fytt. The
comandimente prescribeth a certajne & sett t}'mc, yea a
daye, the Sabbath daye, one daye in the weeke, which is
the Sabbath daye.
Agayne it teacheth vs what daye in the weeke, the Sab-
bathe daye is, to wytt, the Sabbothe day of the Lorde thic
God. That day in the weeke wherein the Lord our God
resteth muste be our Sabbath day : so that as the comandi-
mente prescribes into vs a weekely Sabbath daye to be
sanctefied: so God's precedente & example poyntcs owte
vnto vs, what or which dave in the weeke wee muste reste
on, to sanctefye it. And this is not only the naturall equi-
tie, but the very naturall lawe & substance of the 4 co-
mandimente, to prescribe a sett solemne day in the weeke ;
& not to leave it in the power of man or of the chiurch to
appo}Tite what tjine thay please. The reasons ar these.
1, bycawse the comandimente expressely Ijmiteth one sett
daye in the weeke, beinge the Sabbothe day of the Lorde
our God. Now the comandimente prescribinge a sett &
fixed daye in the weeke, what humane power shall daie to
alter it mto an indefinite tyme? 2. The sccondc reason
whie it is not lefte in the power of the church to prescribe
what tjine men please, by cawse it is Gods prerogatpe as
a maister to appojute his owne woorship & service, so the
tyme wherein he wylbe served. 3 reason is, becawse an
indeffenite tyme muste eyther binde to all moments of tyme,
as a debtte when the daye of pa3rmente is not expressed is
Uable to pa}'mente eny momente, or else it bynds to no
tyme at all, ffbr if the lawe of God binds vs not to an ex-
pressc determinate tyme, or daye consecrate to his service :
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 403
then the not allowenge hym a sett tyme, or daye, there is
no transgression, if a sett tjTne or daye be not observed,
flfor where no lawe is, there is no transgression. Ileere he
alledgeth sondry remarkable judgements of suche as have
profaned & polluted some parte of the Lords daye within
2 veercs.
AgajTie the divines affirme thay have harde the adver-
sary say in open courte, that a man mighte be iustefye^ to
dave & condemned to morowe. That there is no sanctifi-
cation of the Sabbath but reste, reste only. And by cawse
the dy^dnes w^oolde not be taxed of a prj-vato interpretation
of the homely as a factious Sabbatarian noveliste, enclined
to the disciplinarian faction, he sheweth the judgemente &
\Tiderstandinge of others which do agree in the same inter-
pretation of the doctrine of our church layed downe in the
homy lie, as Mr. Hooker & Dr. Andre wes, from whose
woorkes thay alledge sondry playne places withowte excep-
tion, so that thay conclude that the Lords daye is come in
place of the olde Sabbathe daye, & so is become our Sab-
bathe daye, & by necessary consequence gi'ownded vpon the
4 comandimentc. And if it be asked Quo Jure^ by what
righte doothe the I^ords daye take the place of the Sabbath
daye ? It is awnswered owte of the Psalme, God made it
so ; and Christes Resurrection declared it to be so : & the
Appostles observed it so ; yea & commanded it so too.
After thay shewe it was the tenet of the antiente catho-
licke church which dyd observe it, & call the Lords daye,
the Sabbath of the Lorde, which thay kepte in place of the
olde Sabbath daye.
And bycawse there is a greate clamor of late for appU-
cnge the name of the Sabbothe to the Lords daye, thay
proove it may be so called by these reasons. L Becawse it
is our reste daye. 2. The Appostles calle it our reste, a
Sabbatisme. 3. The very name of the Lords daye im-
portes so moche, as beinge the Lords holy daye, as Esay
38: 13: and that day whereon the Lorde rested from the
404 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
woorke of his Redemption, & so sanctefied by hym & to
hym.
And so thay showe, that in the sayde homyly it is called
the Sabbathe daye 10 tymes, in one other homylie 8 t}Tncs,
& in a 3 homely 2 tymes ; and in King James his procla-
mation, 7 of May 1603, twyce.
Then thay come to all recreations on the Sabbath daye,
which thay proove vnlawefull, by lawes domesticke, by the
Imperiall lawes, by the edictes & constitutions of famous
princes, comon lawes & cyvill lawes, & by all the reformed
churches, thowghe the adversary nullefyes them for no
true churches, bycawse thay have no prelates, to putt them
in order & goveme them, who all calle the Lords daye the
Sabbathe daye, for the due sanctification whereof they
pleade moste earnestly & zealouslye.
In May laste came forthe a boocke allowed by aucthori-
tie, & withowte the name of the awthor, entitled A Coale
FROM THE Altar,* or an a^vuswere to a lettre not longe
synce wrytten to the vicar of Grantham, against the placinge
of the communion table at the Easte ende of the chancell,
& now of late dispersed abroade to the disturbance of the
church. Heere I pray you I Miderstande that the \dcar of
Grantham was deade 6 years synce, & this supposed lettre
is sayde to be wrytten at a leaste 11 yeeres sjuce by the
Bishop of Lyncolne, one not in the favor of these tjnnes,
but labored by his adversaryes to have all disgrace heaped
vpon hym ; and the author of this Coale from the Alter
is an notable flatterer of the courte, one Dr. Helyn, one that
hathe mooche for abrogatinge the olde s)Ticerytie of the
Sabbathe.
• Dr. Heylm'8 work, entitled "A Coale from the Altar, *' — published in 1686, in re-
ply to a letter ascribed to Rev. John Cotton, bat written by Dr. Williams, Bishop of
Lincoln, — was answered by Prynne, in an elaborate treatise of 868 pages 4to, under
the title of **A Quench Coale;*' tlie address to the reader bearing date July 10, 1G36,
but printed in the following year. — Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 405
The Dr., at the firste enterance, gathereth that this let-
tre to the \dcar of Grantham shoolde come from a reuerende
prelate of this church, which lettre havinge miichc dis-
coraged a greate friende of the doctors, who had thowghte
to have removed his communion table to the vpper ende
of the chancell, vntyll readinge this lettre or epistell he was
wholly discorged ; \^on the which the doctor wryteth his
opinion of this lettre, & awnswereth every parte of it, ad-
visynge his friende to obay the orders now prescribed.
Then he gathereth the passages in the epistle for which it
is probably beleeved the epistle was wrytten by a reue-
rende prelate, as from a diocesan to a private parish prieste
in his jurisdiction, which when he had made as playne as
he coolde, he sayeth that he can not thus belecve, but
rather that this lettre was wr) tten by Mr. Cotton of Bos-
ton, who meaninge one daye to take sanctuary in New
Englande, was wy Hinge to doe some greate acte before his
goenge, that he mighte be the better wellcome when he
came amongest them. And thus he concludeth that this
epistle was now spreade abroade of purpose to discownte-
nancc the \'niformitie of publicke order, to which the pye-
tve of these tymes was so muche enchned, and that this
discourse or epistell, which was so muche sowghtc after,
applawded, & scattered in sondrye coppies, was so of pur-
pose doone, to distracte the common people, & to hinder
that good woorke which was now in hande. As towchinge
the preamble he had not sayd any thinge, but that there he
mett with somewhat, which seemed to cast a scome vpon the
reverence appojuted by the canon vnto the blessed name
of Jesus.
Then he discendeth to the 3 particulars wherein the
^dcar of Grantham desyred to be satisfied, 1, for the
havinge of an altar at the vpper ende of his quier. 2,
the placinge of the communion table altarwyse. 3, the
fixingc of it in the quier, so as it may not be removed into
the bodve of the church. He sheweth that the Elders
406 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
of the vestryc, & the vestry doctryne of these dayes, were
againste this doctrjne ; he declared that as the liOrd's Supper
may be called a Sacrafize, so may the holy table be called
an altar, & sett \j) in the place where the altar stoodde,
he shewed that the martyrs called the Lords Supper a Sa-
crifice, & many tymes the Sacramentt of the altar. So that
there is a Sacrefice, Christes propitiatory Sacrefize, and
there is an altar, not the Jewjsh altar, vpon which the
Jewes were wonte to oflfer there burnt oflFeringes, but
the table of the Lorde, and there is the Sacramente of the
altar, the sacramente of the body & bloodde of Christe.
He sheweth that the papistes calles the communion
table, sett in the myddest of the channcell an oyster boorde
or oyster table, & when this table is fixed in the wall, the
Puritane and Mr. Prinne calleth the commimion table a
dresser bourde, he expecteth that this trjmme episteler wyll
shortly contrary hym ; & for the latter parte of dy\ine ser-
vice, called the seconde service, he sayeth there muste be
some spare tyme for the mynister to goe from the readinge
pewe, & the Lordes table, there muste be some tyme rea-
sonable betweene mominge prayer & the comimion, yea
he affirmeth the whoUe frame & fashion of diTine service
had byn longe sjuce cleane loste in Englande, had it not
byn kepte & preserved in the Kings chappell, & cathedrall
churches.
He calleth hym an extravagante episteler ; by this you may
see of what strajne the episteler is, for the Lorde[s] table
was awntiently called an altar. In Kinge Edwards raigne
the comon people tooke the Lordes table sett altar av) se for
a dresser, thowghe Bishop Jewell sayeth that the holy table
was called an altar, only in allusion of the altars of the
olde lawe.
He concludeth that the vicar of Grantham might safely
holde his 3 conclusions. 1, that an alter maye be vsed in
the Christian church. 2, that the communion tabUe may
stande alterwyse, the mjnister officiatinge at the northe
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 407
cnde thereof. 3, That the table may stande constantly m
the \^per parte of the ,channcell, close alonge the walle,
both in the fvrste or seconde service.
I^aste of all, he aUedgeth that in a case of St. Grego-
ryes church nexte St Pauls, London, his sacred majestie
hathe declared his pleasure, that all Mctropolitanes, Bi-
shops, & Ordinaryes shall rcquke, in all the churches
conimytted to there charges, that the communion tables be
placed altarwyse, and this, he sayeth, he faythefuUy coppied
owte of the registers of his cownceU table.
And further sayeth that the commmiion table is to be
placed altaru^sc, at the vpper ende of the channcell, in
such manner as it standeth in the Kings Chappell, & in all
coUedgiate & cathediall churches, the moother churches, (as
consonante to the practise of approved antiquitie), by which
all other churches dependinge therevpon owghte to be
guyded & governed.
I muste nowe entreate you to goe backe agayne to calle
to mynde our Episcopall visitation in lente laste, as you have
hai'de, the strictest that euer was ; so many good men sus-
pended & removed for not conformitie to the new orders,
amonge which, a lytic before harvest, Mr. Stansby was
deprived ; thay enquire, whither the suiplyce hathe bjn
woome & the syne of the ^f vsed at cuery tjme the Sacra-
mente is administred, whither the Sacramente of the Supper
byn admjTiistred to any, not syttinge, standinge, or leaning
ATireverently, but humbly kneelinge \j)Oii there knees in
pla}Tie & open viewe, withowte collusion & hipocresye.
Doothe the communion table stande at the easte ende of
the chancell, where the alter in former tvmes stoodde?
Doothe euery one vsc lowly reverence at the name of
Jesus ? Dothe euery one stande vp at the Ghospell ?
Doothe all the people stande \ip & say Glor}^ be to the
Father, at the cnde of euery psalme readinge ? To beginne
the mariadgc, in the mariadge, in the body of the church.
408 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
& then to goe to the communion table : at every mariadge
to have a comunion ; to kneele af all the coUectes, at the
biiriall & the comunion : the women to be churched with
there vayles, which is begimne in the body of the church
& then fynished at the communion table. Xo mjnister or
lecturer but muste fyrstc in his whoodd & surplyce reade
all the de\dne service what so euer, before the sermon, &
then, goenge into the pulpitt, he muste saye his sermon
(for the w^oorde preache is obsolete) ; at the ende he muste
goe to the hie altar, there to saye the secondc service & to
fynishe all. Is there any vestry meetinges, who doe
secretly hinder the peace of the church?
By this bre\iate heere formerly abstracted you may see
how the Lords day is kepte heere. Maysters of famylies
compla}Tie exceedingly thay cannot contayne there ser-
vantes from excursions into all prophane sportes & pastimes
on the Lords daye ; wee haue judgements day lye vpon suche
occasions, but no man regardeth them. It hathe byn well
observed this laste springe heere was very whotte & drje,
euen in seede tyme, & so contjuewcd of longe tyme, that
the grasse was so burned vp, that at our vzuall hay scele *
wee had lytle or no grasse to cutt, or to feede our catle ;
at laste God sente vs rayne, but it was so immoderate &
vehimentc, even in our harvest, with suche stronge Wastes
& stormes, layenge moste of the come flatte vpon the
grownde, that not halfe of the come which came vp coolde
be reaped, & that which was reaped is so growne, that
many feare but doe not knowe what maye heereof prove
& enscwe. The plague & infection is come to 536 this
laste weeke at liOndon. The Kinge hathe bjn very care-
full to prevente the infection from dispcrsenge, for which
cawse he adioumed parte of laste Trynitie teai-me, as from
the seconde retome, called octavis trmitatis^ vntill tres tri-
♦ Haysel, the time of hay-hnrvest. Hay-sale. Moor't Suffolk Words and Pkrates. —
Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 409
nitatis then nexte foUowenge, at Cambrydge no piiblicke
Commencemcntc, no BarthoUmew fayer at London, or our
Lady fayer in Sowthewoorke, no StjTbrj^dge fayer, no Ely
fayer &c. In all these calamyties wee never wente to God
publickly, by fastinge & prayer, which was deemed as hate-
full as conventicles, the frute of the vestry elders, there
vestry doctr\iie, & the disciplinarian faction; yett at the
lengthe, vpon the private prayers & fastes of many of Gods
deere servants, it pleased the Lorde to sende suche an
abundante frutefull Mihellmas sprynge, to the full supply
of what so euer was wantynge in our Soommer springe, that
for grasse, haye, & pasture euery one hathe an aboundante
store & suppUe. I woolde I coolde wrjte \Tito you of any
lectures contynewed : our hie contempte of the woorde when
wee had it abondantly, hathe begoonne this presente fa-
mjTie, which is feared wyll styll encrease. I haue no more
roome, so that I cannot now goe any farther, only I woolde
entreate you remember vs in your prayers. And so after
the tiiie contynewance of our beste aflFection & respecte
vnto you, wee desjTe the Allmighty styll to preserve you
with all yours.
Yours euery wayes as I shoolde be or woolde be
Lawrence Browne.
9 September, 1G36.
I praye you remember the plott or mappe of New Eng-
lande.
52
410 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
ROBERT RYECE TO JOHN WINTHROP.
(THOMAS SMYTHE.* A.)
MosTE Deere & Christian Ffriende, — To satisfie
your expectation, & myne owne dewe respecte, (wherein I
woolde be loathe to be any wayes defectyve) I praye you
to vnderstande that our Allminake makers, blasted some 2
yeeres syace with Jupiters Thunderbolte for beinge to
curious in there predictions, have ever synce sylently lefte
all presages to the evente of eury season ; yett have many
noted sondry strange alterations this laste yeere now paste.
The Springe was very hotte & drye, burninge vp the grasse,
the harveste very wette & dropping, & so the weather fol-
lowinge very variable, which bredde a sore plague bothe
at London & in sondrye other places, by reason whereof
mydsommer tearme was in parte cutte of, and so was Mich-
elmas tearme for the moste parte cutte of. This Sommer
the King wente in progresse, as I thinke, into Shropshiere,
* There are three letters with this signature. The name of Thomas Smythe is fami-
liar as that of the old Treasurer and Governor, for twelve years, of the Virginia Company;
but he is believed to have died some years before the date of these letters, which, like the
last, arc all in the unmistakable handwriting of Robert Ryece. The first of these letters
contains general information and remark in Ryece*8 peculiar vein; the second gives a
manuscript copy of Prynne's " Newes from Ipswich ; *' and the third communicates some
of the " particular orders, directions, and remembrances ** of that Bishop of Norwich whom
Prynne had satirized. The danger of being discovered in writing such letters in those days
of civil and religious persecution, and particularly of being detected in giving circulation to
any thing of Prynne*8 (then a prisoner in the Tower, with his ears at least once cropped),
will account sufficiently for the assumed name under which the letters were written.
They are dated but a few days apart from each other, and doubtless came over by the
same f«hip. Gov. Winthrop has indorsed on the last of the three, in which the others
would seem to have been enclosed, **Mr. S: his A: B: C:** and these letters of the alpha-
bet are affixed to the signatures, respectively, by the writer himself. On another part of
the back of the same letter, Gov. Winthrop has also written, " Mr. R : Answ : " — Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 411
where the King was exceedinge angry for his badde enter-
taynemente. The Sheerefe had but 10 men, & never a gen-
tleman with hym, but euery gentleman was from his howse,
& in all places where the King shoolde lodge, the goodman
gone, none at home but the wyfe, with abondance of all
sortes of victualls & servants. Heere formerly was Bene-
volences & Shipmony denyed, which some construed was
the cawse of euery mans generall absence. Duringe this
progresse there was one Bumpsted, sometymes a tayler of
Mellforde, then followenge the Lorde Savadge, & synce
followenge a knighte who maried the lords dawghter, was
observed to foUowe the courte, & there apprehended for
dy vers evill woords & purposes to the King : he was comit-
ted to the Tower, where he yett resteth.
This Summer the Bishop of Norwiche, by his deputyes,
made as stricte a visitation in that Diocesse, as euer was
seene before; all the weekely lectures putte downe, with ser-
mons in the afternone on the Lord's daye, many mynisters
sylenced, suspended, & putt from there places for not con-
formytie & readinge the Kings boocke* for liberty & recre-
ation on the Lords daye. Our Littargie now devyded into 2
partes, the one to be readde in the readinge deske, in the
other, called the seconde service, to be reade in the chancell,
at the communion table, placed now at the easte ende of the
chancell, nexte the wall, northe & sowthe. Euer}' preacher
to say all the service fully, with the seconde service at hie
altar, before he goeth into the pulpytt, & there to vse no
prayer, but to end all at the hie alter. Yf there be a
communion, euery communicante is to kneele at the rayle
now sett vp in euery chancell before the hie alter. After the
comunion euery one oflFereth his devotion or oblation, with
all humble inclyninge reverence to the mynister at the hye
altar. Every wooman in her vayle goeth to the rayle, there
* King James I.'s *' Declaration concerning Lawful Sports to be used/* published in
,8, and now required by Laud to be observed by the clergy. — Kds.
412 THE WINTHROP PAPERS, [1636.
to be churched. Euery mariadge is there with all solem-
nitie fynished. No man is to passe by this alter withoute
crowchinge & humble obeysance. And to what ende is
all this service & devotion so many wayes performed heere
at this altar, but only to drawe veneration & addoration of
that invisible power vnto which it is referred ? Ffrom the
communion tables they are m many places come to erecte
curious altars, which they adome with sylke & embrodered
carpetts, in some places with lightes, in other places with
crucifixes, etc. Whiles these thinges were a setlinge, &
religion in euery place wente downe, the Bishop came to
Ipswiche to lye there at a howse of his wyves, but the
mariners & inferior vulgar, impatiente to haue there myni-
sters & religeon dysplased, gave sondry rude aflfrontes to
the Bishop & his followers, which cawsed hym all on a
sooddayne, as afrayde, on his owne condition to leave Ip-
swiche, and to take a howse almoste halfe wav betweene
Ipswiche & Bury, at Tostocke, whither he had dayly intel-
ligence of all thinges befallen ; but this place beiuge farre
from the courte, he removed agayne, & wente to Wyndsore
& those partes, to bee neere the courte. Soone after son-
dry petytions & complayntes of suspended & depry ved myn-
isters to aucthoritie, but withowte all redresse that I coolde
euer heere, and at the Courte of Comperts* or Correc-
tions, all severitie & extremitie vsed. One accidente which
I credibly hard, I can not omytte ; — while the Bishop his
chancelor. Dr. Corbett, was vpon his seate of justice at
Bury, newes was browghte hym that Mr. Rogers of Ded-
ham dyed the laste nighte.f Is he so? sayd the chancelor,
let him goe in reste, for he hathe troobled all the contry
these 30 yeeres, & dyd poyson all those partes for x myle
rounde abowte that place, — the manner of whose death
is thus reported ; whiles the Bishop was at Ipswiche, one
* Compertorium^ a jadicial inquest made to find oat or relate the truth of a cause. —
Bailey' » DictUmnry. — Eds.
t Kcv. John Bngers of Dedham died Oct 8, 1686. — Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 413
daye, havinge occasion to ryde forthe, comanded his ser-
vantes to hyer poste horses ; who browght hym worde that
all the horses were taken vp, by suche as wente to the
sermon at Dedham. Is the wynde at that doore ? sayde
the Bishop, I wyU soone ease that : & so not longe after,
as the Commissary synce confessed, he had commande
from Canterbury vpon the complaynte of Norwich to stay
the lecture at Dedham : wherevpon the Commissary wrotte
a friendely letter to Mr. Rogers, shewenge hym he had
commandemente from Canterbury to require hym to stay
his lecture now for a whiles the plague continewed,
which by suche concourses was daylie encreased. Mr.
Rogers, beleevinge, as was pretended, stayed his lecture,
& after harvest ended, the Doctor & Comissary was moved
for renewene of the lecture ; the Comissary gave fayer
woordes, promysynge very shortely thay shoolde haue
liberty, which after sondry promyses, withowte all in all
intention, Mr. Rogers seinge there was a secrett determi-
nation whoUy to suppresse that lecture, this strooke hym
to the harte, hastened all his naturall malladies to his
vttermost periode. It may be you may thinke I am some
what teadious, yett bycawse you may deeme I owe you
many letres, & wrytinge but once in a yeere, albeit you
have farre better relations from others, yett you are con-
tente to beare with mee ; and therevpon I muste further
shcwe you what further occurred this yeere, as sondry
libells secretly scattered this yeere, but grownded vpon the
presente state of thinges, whereof I wyll geve you only
the tytles & flFrontespices, by which you maye iudge what
they conteyne. As, Certayne Questions propownded
to Archbishops, Bishops, Arche deacons & Comyssaryes,
Chawnccllers, Officialls, & other awdacious vsurpers vpon
his majesties royall prerogatyve, lawes, & his loyall sub-
iectcs lawfuU liberties; woorthie there awnswere & all mens
knowledge. — Item, Certayne Queres propownded to the
Bowers to the names of Jesus, & to the patrons thereof,
414 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
wherein the aucthorities & reasons alledged by Bishop An-
drewes & his followers in defense of this ceremony are
breefely examined & refuted ; the mistranslation of Phil :
2. 10. 11. cleered, & that texte with others acquited bothe
from commandinge or awthorizinge this novell ceremony,
heere geven to be vnlawfuU in sondry respectes. The 4
edition corrected, 1636. — The Vnbishopinge of T}Tnothie
& Tytus, or a briefe elaborate Discourse, provingc Tymo-
thie to be no Bishop (muche lesse any sole or dyocesan
Byshop) of Ephesus, nor Tytus of Creete, & that the
power of Ordination, or imposition of hands belonges
Jure diuino to Presbiters as well as to Bishopps, and not to
Bishopps only. Wherein all obiections & pretenses to the
contrary are fully awnswered, & the pretended superioritie
of Bishopps over mynisters & presbiters. Jure diuino (now
moche contended for) vtterly subverted, in a moste per-
spicuous manner, by a well wysher to God's truthe &
people. In the yeere 1636. — A breefe awns were to a
late treatise of the Sabbath daye, digested dialogue wyse
betweene 2 Dyvines, A and B. — A divine tragedy lately
acted, or a collection of sondry memorable examples of
Gods Judgements vpon Sabbathe-breakers, & other lyke
lybertynes in there vnlawefull sportes, happeninge within
the Reallme of Englande in the compasse only of 2 yeeres
laste paste, synce the boocke was published ; woorthie to
be knowne & considered of all men, especially suche who
are guyltie of the synne, or arche patrons thereof. Anno
1636. In the ende of which collection is inserted the
history of Mr. Prynne pursewed by Mr. Noy, a greate fa-
vourer of Sabbathe recreations & pollutions, in this manner.
Mr. William Noye, the greate Gamaliell of the lawe, the
Kings attornye generall, as he had a greate hande in com-
pilinge & republishinge the late declaration for pastimes on
the Lords daye (thruste owte by hys, & a greate prelates
practice, to thwarte Judge Richardson's good order for
suppressinge of wakes & revells in Somersetshiere, & the
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 415
Justices of that Shires petition to his majestye for the con-
tynewance of it, & to make waye for a Starrechamber
cawse against Mr. Prinne), he so eagerly persecuted this
Mr. Prinne, of his owne profession & societye (to whom
he was formerly a friende in apparance, but an invete-
rate enemye in trewthe) for his Histrio mastix,* compiled
only owte of the woordes & sentences of other approoved
awthors of all sortes, againste the vse & exercyse of stage
playes, maypoles, wakes, lascivious mixed dawncinge, &
other Ethenicke pastimes, condemned in all ages, with-
owte any thowght or suspicion of gevinge the leaste
oflFence, eyther to the Kings moste excellente majesty, the
Queene, or State, as he averred in his awnswere vpon his
oathe. And althowghe this boocke was written 4 yeeres,
licensed allmoste three, printed fully oflf a quarter of a
yeere, & published 6 weekes before the Queenes Majes-
ties pastorall, agamst which it was falsely voyced to have
byn principally wrytten ; dilligently perused & lycensed by
Mr. Thomas Buckner, the then Archbishop of Canter-
bury his chaplyn, bothe before & after it came from the
presse, entered into the Stationers* Hall, vnder the warden's
hande, printed, published in 3 aucthorised printing howses,
withowte the leaste controwle ; & published by the sayd
licensers direction, who woolde haue nothinge newe print-
ed in it, as appered vpon oathe at the hearinge ; and
althowgh Mr. Noye hymselfe (to whom he presented one
of the boocks) vpon the firste readinge of it, commended
it, thanked him for it, ofte aflirmed, that he sawe no hurte
in it ; & at the hearinge confessed, that the worste & moste
dangerous phrase & passage in it, mighte haue a good &
fayer construction, & schoUars woolde all take it in a good
sence ; yett he handled the matter so (by suppressinge the
gentlemans exhibitts & defense, wrestinge his woordes
* Prynne say.<« this book wtM published "about Christide, 1632;** but the imprint t>ean
(l:ite 1033. New DiHcovery of the Prelates* Tyranny, &o , p. 7. — Eds.
416 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
and meaninge, refucinge to discover the particulars of his
boocke, on which he woolde insyste, thowghe ordered so
to doe by the Courte, it beinge also impossible to instructe
Cownsell how to make a replye, & by tamperinge vnder
hande with some of his cownsell, by no meanes to make
any justification or defence to cleere his innocencye :
thowghe the partie earnestly entreated, & gave them instruc-
tions to the contrarye) that the poore gentleman receved
censure at laste to be expelled owte of the vniversytie of
Oxforde, & LyncoUns Inne, thruste from his profession, in
which he never offended, flfyned 5000/i, to stande in 2
severall pylleryes, & there to loose bothe hys eares, his
boockes to be there burned before hym, & to suffer imprison-
mente duringe hys lyfe besydes ; which sentence ♦ thowghte
by moste that harde the cawse to be meante only in ter-
rorem^ withowte any intention at all of execution, beinge
respited for above 3 monethes space, & in a manner re-
mitted by the Queene['s] moste gracious mediation, was yet
by this attomyes & a greate prelates importunitie, beyonde
all expectation, sooddenly & severelye executed, withowte
any, the leaste mittigation, fewe of the lords so moche as
knowenge of it. The gentleman heerevpon is sett vpon the
pyllory at Westminster, & there he lost an eare. Mr. Noye,
lyke a ioyfull spectator, lawghes at his sufferinge, & this
his greate exploite he had browghte to passe, which
diverse there presente observed & condemned in hym.
The gentleman, lyke a harmeles lambe, takes all with
suche patience, that he not so moche as once opened his
mowthe to lett falle any woorde of discontente. Yett the*
Juste God & Sovereigne Lorde of heaven and earthe, who
beholdeth mischeefe & spighte, to requite it with his
hande, & avengeth the innocente bloodde of his servants,
tooke this his myrthe & mallyce so heynously, that the
* Prjnne was sentenced 17 Feb. 1633-4, and the sentence was carried into execution
on the 7th and 10th of May following. New Discoveiy, &c., pp. 10, 11. — Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 417
same daye (as some abowte hym, & of his owne societye
reported), he who thus shedd his brothers & companions
bloodde, by the juste hande of God, fell a voydinge &
pyssinge owte his owne: which so amazed hym, that he
vsed all the meanes he coolde, to smother it from the
woorlde, charginge his lawndresse & those abowte hym
not to speake of it, refucinge to acquaynte his phisitians
with it. Heerevpon he growes very pallide, & ill ; the
Phisitians wonder at it ; he complaynes to them of the
gravell & stone in his kydneyes, tyll at laste he grewe so
yll with this dyvine stroke, that he was forced to disclose
his greefe to them, yett so as thay muste faythefully pro-
myse to disclose it to no man, for feare the people shoolde
saye it were a juste judgment of God on hym for shed-
dinge Mr. Prinnes bloodde. But God woolde not have
this secrett longe concealed ; his lawndresse, men, and some
gentlemen of his societye discover & talke of it: he,
mooche vexed in mynde, insteade of repentinge what he
had doone, & seekinge to righte the partie wronged for
his irreparable damage, lyke a harte or beaste once mor-
tally wounded, proceeds on in his former furye ; seckes to
bringe the poore distressed gentleman into freshe trooble,
& a further censure, bringes hym ore tenus into the Starre
chamber, reviles hym with all manner of vncivil woords,
mooves to have hym close prysoner amonge the rogues in
Newgate, sells his chamber, as forfeited to the howse by his
expulsion, seiseth his boocks, & when the courte woolde
not grawnte his vnreasonable malicious motion, above 5
weekes after, in the longe vacation, when most of the lords
were gone, & his Majestye in his progresse, drawes vp an
order of his owne makinge in the Starre chamber, for the
gentleman's close imprisonmente (the laste order he ever
made), cawsed the Register to enter it, & sends it to the
Tower to be executed. The same daye, he wente to Tun-
bridge waters, with owte the lords or Courts pryvitie. The
daye followenge, drinkinge of those waters, he was in
63
418 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
myserable torture, in so moche that moste dispayred of his
lyfe, & some reported he was deade ; & hearinge there that
his disease of voydinge bloodde was then publickly knowne,
& talked of in London, he was so vexed at it, that he felle
owte with hys phisitians & servants, raylinge on them lyke
a flfranticke man, as if they had betrayed hym, & disclosed
his secretts ; yea it so fretted & gnawed his harte & con-
science, that it made his very harte & entrayles to perishe,
& abowght a fortnighte after browghte hym to his ende.
Beinge opened after his deathe, there was not a droppe of
bloodde fownde in his bodye, for he had voyded owte all
before, his falice, malicious, hard harte with inwarde fret-
tinge & vexinge was so consumed & shrinked vp, that it
was lyke an olde rotten leather purse, or meere scurfFe.
The phisitians never seinge the lyke before, his fleshe &
kydnes were as blacke as a hatte, his entrayles (excepte
his lunges only) all putrid, & his carkase as a miserable
spectacle, but no stone that coolde trooble hym was founde
abowte hym. Ilis flfunerall, accordinge to his desyre, was
so pryvate, that there were hardlye gentlemen enowghe to
cany hym to hys grave, but that some came in by acci-
dente. Hys clyents, the players, for whom he had doone
knightes service, to requite his kyndnes, the nexte tearme
followenge make hym the subiecte of a merry Comedye,
styled A Proiector lately deade, wherein they bringe
hym in his lawiers robes vpon the stage, & openlye dissect-
inge hym, fynde a 100 proclamations in his heade, a bun-
dle of olde moathe eaten records in his ma we, & halfe a
barrell of newe white sope in his belly, which made hym to
skoore so muche, & yett say thay, he is styll very blacke &
fowle within. And as if this voydinge of all his owne
bloodde, & publicke disgrace on the stage were not
sufficiente to expiate the wronged gentleman's bloodde
& infamye, hym selfe in his laste wyll, layes a brande
on his owne soonne & heire : bequeathinge all his goods
& lands, not therein given to others, to Edwarde his
1636.] THE WIKTHROP PAPERS. 419
eldeste soonne, jto be scattered & spent : nee de eo melius
speraui: ♦ enowghe to make duty full childe tume vnthrifte;
& a signe of a dispairinge man : which soonne of his, vpon
his owne challenge & rashenes, hath byn synce slayne
in a duell f in France, by Captayn Byron, who escaped
scott free, & had his pardon. Thus hathe God ponished
bloodd with bloodde, thus hath he dealt with one of the
cheefe occasioners of this declaration, & burner of that
boocke, which learnedly manifested the vnlawfuUnes of
the seuerall sportes & pastimes cowntenanced in it, espe-
cially on the Lords owne sacred daye, owte of olde & new
wryters of all sortes, & specifyed dyvers judgements of
God vpon the awthers, acters & spectators of them, not
vnwoorthy consideration in these sable tymes of plagues
& judgements.
There is yett one libell more, which vntyll better advyce,
shall sende it you ; that you may the better judge what it
dyd speake of, I sende you heere also the tytle, or prefixed
frontispice of that treatice, entytled Newes from Ipswich,
discoveringe certayne late detestable practises of some do-
mineeringe Lordly Prelats, to vndermyne the established
doctrine & discipline of our Church : extirpate all Ortho-
doxall sincere preachers & preachinge of Gods woorde,
vsher in Popery, Superstition & IdoUatrye, with there late
notorious purgations of the new flfaste boock, contrary to
his majesties proclamation, and there intoUerable aflFronte
therein oflFered to the moste lUustruous Lady Elizabeth, the
Kyngs only syster, & hir children, (even whiles they are
nowe Royally entertayned at Courte) in blottinge them owte
of the CoUectes: and to his Majestye hym selfe, his Queene,
• The will of Attorney-General Nov, which is dated June 8, 1684, contains the follow-
ing clause: '* All the rest of my estate I leave to my son Edward (who is executor to this
my will), to be squandered as he shall think tit. I leave it to him for that purpose, and I
hope no better from him." William Noy died Aug. 9, 1684. — Eds.
t Steele, in the "Tatler" (No. 9), relates that this "generous disdain, and reflection
upon how little he deserved from so excellent a father, reformed the young man.** It
appears, however, that no such effect followed, and that he was killed in a duel, within
two years after his father^s death, as stated in this letter. — Eds.
420 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
& there Royall progenye, in dashenge them owte of the
nomber of Gods electe. Edition 3: Printed at Ipswich,
An: 1636*
Vpon the 27 of December laste came the Erie of Aron-
dell & Surrey home from his Ambassage to the Emperor
Fferdinande the 2, & to the princes of Germany. He tooke
his joumy abowte the beginnynge of A prill, and was
sente from our King as Ambassador extraordinary vnto the
Emperor, abowte the restitution of the Pallatinate, as it was
sayd, but in vayne. He had a longe and difficulte joumy,
yett entertained in eury place very respectyvely, especially
at Prague in Bohemia, where an Iryshe man recter of the
colledge of Jesuites. There our Ambassador was inter-
tayned with a Comedye in this sorte. Mercurie's ser\'ante as
the prologue employed abowte makinge redy of the Theatre
for the assembly of all the Gods and Goddesses (there to be
presente, for the receyvinge of the Ambassador) falls vpon
lytle children, who woolde fayne see the Ambassador of
the King of England : he tells them they cannot see hym
in the Theatre, vnlesse they wyll congratulate his comynge,
whom by reason of there yonge yeeres thay can not salute
in Latyne, but they may performe it in there owne naturall
language, which was agreed vpon. And so the Gods &
Goddesses enteringe, Mercury receyves them & places
euery one accordingely. Then comes in Astrea, complaynes
to Jupiter & the reste of the Gods, of the wickednes
of the woorlde. Jupiter havinge harde all, delyvers the
woorlde to be ponished by Mars & Vulcane. Here Peace,
all forlorne, seekes vp & downe whar to have a place to be
secured from the fury of Mars. Neptune carries Peace over
into Englande in a sea shell. Then Mars devides the globe
of the earthe into dyvers partes, & distributes them to the
fury of Bellona & other agents. Heare Ceres, Apollo, &
* The ^Mibells/* of which the titles are given in this letter, are all ascribed to Prynne;
and, with a single exception, are enaraerated in the list of his works given by Wood. See
Athenn Oxonieuses, third edition, iii. 856. — Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 421
Bacchus complayne before Jupiter of the infinite calamytie
which thay endure from Mars : Jupiter sends them to Nep-
tune : Neptune tells them, that he hathe comytted the
Imperiall Govemmente of the Sea, to Charles, Kinge of
Create Brittayne, and that thay muste make sewte to hym
to restore peace to the woorlde. Mercury byds Ceres
and Apollo to be of good cheere, & wylls them not to
dowbte but that King Charles wyll shortly, by his Ambas-
sador, Howarde, Earl of Arondell, reduce peace. Peace
afiirmeth that shee shalbe restored to hir former habita-
tions, thay doe all gratulate one another, & geve there
acclamation to Howard, to whom thay do wyshe & presage
all happiness, etc.
Sir, this supplimente I have added, but for a lytle re-
frcshenge, vpon the which many do dyversly opyne. Heere-
vpon Charles Lodovike, Cownte Pallatyne of the Rhene
publisheth his protestation againste all the vnlawfuU &
violente proceedinges against hym & his brotheren, particu-
larlye againste the secrett & invalide dispocetions & decrees
of the Emperor, in the translation of the Electorall digni-
tie & dominions vpon the Duke of Bavaria : the vnlawfuU
and vayne election of a Kynge of the Romaynes, where
his highnes & the EUector of Tryers were excluded: and
lastly againste the vyolente & vniust vsurpation & posses-
sion of the Electorall dignitie, tytle, voyce & session, by
the Duke of Bavaria. What this in tj'me wyll effecte, tys
only tyme wyll relate. And so sceasinge further at this
tyme, remembringe my selfe moste respect}Tely vnto you,
I leave you with all yours to the safe protection of the
AUmightie, and do reste
Yours allwayes in all true & synceare aflfection.
Thomas Smythe.
This firste day of Marche, 1636. A
If these lettres come to your hands, as I hope they shall,
and to which ende I wrotte them, I pray you advertise mee
of the receipte & date thereof.
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop, ** Rec the 22 : of June."
A
422 THE WINTHEOP PAPERS. [1636.
ROBERT RYECE TO JOHN WINTHROP.
(THOMAS SMTTHE. B.)
NEWES FROM IPSWICHE.*
Christian Reader, this is the deplorable newes of our
presente age, that our presses, formerlye open only to
truthe & pietye, are closed vp againste them bo the of late,
& patente for the moste parte, to nowghte but error,
superstition & prophannes. Wytnes those" many pro-
phane, erronious, impious boockes, printed within these
3 yeeres, by aucthoritie (poynte blanke againste the estab-
lished doctrine of the church of Englande, & his Majestyes
pious* declarations) in defense of Arminianisme, Popery
& popishe ceremonies: & which is yet more impious &
detestable, ageynste* the very morallitie of the sabbath
& forthe Commandimente : the divine institution, title, &
entire religious sanctification of the Lord's daye sabbath,
& the necessitie of frequent preachinge, (exceedeingly
• This is believed to be an exact copy of Frynne's "Newes from Ipswiche;'* though
we have in vain sought for a printed copy of that production, with a view to comparison.
It was said to have been written as '* a sntire upon the severe proceedings of the Bishop of
Norwich.** The bishop*s name was Matthew Wren: hence the satire is signed Matthew
YThite. In the anonymous letter which immediately follows the A: B: C: in this volume,
the writer, referring to the ** Newse from Ipswitch " as just published, says of its author,
" He pretends the name of Matthew White, & the newse to be sent from Ipswitch, which is
noe better than lying, & pretends in the frontispice a third edition &c.** Possibly there
was never more than one edition, and that was suppressed as soon as possible. Printed
copies must have been scarce, or Robert Ryece would hardly have taken the pains to copy
it with his own hand. — Eds.
a Shelford*s S. Treatises; Rheeves Communion Boocke; Chatechisme expownded;
Chouneus Collect; A Cole from the Altar; The Female Glory e, Studlye; Dr. Lawrence 6t,
Brownes Sermons, with others; Apparatus ad Histo: Eeclesiast:
h Before the 39 articles, & concerninge the Parliaments dissolution, P. 20, 21, 22, 42.
c The Treatijie, Hi8t<»rie, Doctrine, and Discowrce of the Sabbath. A sovereine Anti-
dote. Dr. Primerose, Kheeve, Shelford, & Powell in the lyfe of Kinge J.
f
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 423
pressed in our** Homilies, & booke of*' Ordination) which
some of our vnpreachinge, domineeringe, secular Prelats
(owte of there Arche-piety towards God, & Arche-charitie
towarde the peoples sowles, which thay seeke to murther,)
now so farre deteste, that thay not only geve over preach-
inge them selves, as no parte of there function; & suppresse
moste weeke day lectures in divers contries ; but have lyke
wyse lately shutt vp the mowthes of sondry of our moste
godly, powerfuU, paynfuU preachers,-^ (who haue woonne
more sowles to God in a yeere, then all the Lord Bishopps
in Englande, or the woorlde, haue done in divers ages) owte
of meere malyce to Religeon, & the peoples salvation ;
contrary to the very lawes of God & the Realme ; & strict-
lye prohibited, vnder paine of suspension, in sondry dio-
cesse, all aftemoones sermons on the Lords owne daye ;
that so the prophane vulgar mighte haue more tyme, to
dance, playe, revell, drinke, & prophane Gods Sabothes,
even in these dayes of plague & pestilence,^ to drawe
downe more plagues & judgements on vs, for this synne
of Sabbathe breakinge, when as not only the* Synode of
Dorte, but* sondry popish Synods & Bishops have byn so
religious, as to prescribe 2 sermons euery Lords daye at
leaste, in eury parish church, to keepe the people from
suche prophanations of this sacred daye. Alas what
coolde* Belzebub the prince of devUls, had he hya an Arch-
bishop or lordly prelate heere in Englande, (as there were
many Divells Bishopps, at least. Bishops Dyvills, in^ Bar-
nards age, & moste feare there are to many nowe,) have
d Preface to them of the righte vse of the Church.
e Exhortation to those that are to be made ministers.
/ Bishop Latimer^s 2, 4, 5, 6 Sermons before K. Edwarde, & his Sermon on the Plowgli.
g Neh. 13, 17, 18. Leuit: 26, 46 to 66. Jere. 17, 17. Ezech. 20, 18 to 22. The faste
boockc, 1. Jacob! & Caroli, & the examples of Gods Judgements vpon Sabbath breakers.
h Sessio 14.
i Apud Bochel. Dccreta Eccles: Gnl. 1. 1. Tit, 8, c. 10, 11, 18, 16, 17, 18, 87, 62, & 1: 4:
Tit. 7, c. 26.
k Miith. 12, 24.
I Sermo 33 in Cant, et in Conoil : Rhemense.
424 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1036.
doone more against the stricte intire sanctification of the
Christian Sabbathe day to*" make it the devills daye in
steade of the Lorde's daye, & to advance his owne king-
dome & service on it ; or against the frequente pov^^erfuU
preachers, & preachinge of Gods v^^oorde, & salvation of
the peoples sowles, then some Luciferian Lord Bishops
have lately done? Whose impietie in this kinde tran-
scends all precedents v^^hat so ever in former ages. And yet
these prophane atheisticall graceles persecutors of all holi-
nes, piety, sinceritie, godly mynisters, and preachinge of
God's woorde (yea in these pestilentiall times, as meanes
to spreade the plague, thowghe the** Scripture, &^ all for-
mer ages have prescribed fastinge, preaching, & prayenge,
as the chiefe antidotes & cure against it,) v^^ill needes bee
Lorde Bishops'* Jure divinOy by the Holy Ghostes owne in-
stitution, (who never yett instituted any^ vn preachinge,
rare-preachinge prelates, or persecutors & suppressors of
preachinge,) and shame not to style themselves, the*" godly
holy fathers of our church, & pillars of our fay the,
when as there frutes & actions manifesto them to be
nowghte else, but the very step fathers & caterpillars, the
very pestes & plagues of bothe. Take but on^ freshe in-
stance for an example ; these desperate Arche-agents for
the devill & pope of Roome, and master vnderminers of
our Religeon, as thay were the only instruments of delay-
enge the present generall flaste, in the beginninge of the
pestilence,* when it was moste acceptable & requisite ; so.
m Horn. 8. against Rebellion. pag.*298. & of the tyme & place of prayer.
fi 2Chron: 6. 28, 29, 80. cap. 7. 18, U. Nomb: 25, 6 to 10. Joel, 1. 2. Zeph:
2. 1, 2, 8.
o Se the Paste boocke l^^ Jacobi et Caroli.
p Bishop Banorofte Sermon & Bishop Whites tretise of the Sabothe Daye. Epist:
Ded.
q Act. 20, 28. 1 Tim : 8, 2. cha. 4, 11 to 17. 2 Tim. 4, 1 to 6. Tit. 1, 9. c. 2, 1,
10, 18. c. 8, 1 to 12. 1 Pet. 5, 1, 2, 8.
r Bishop White Epist: dedica: to his treatise of the Sabath. Rcue Epist: ded:
before his exposition of his Chatechisme in tlie Communion boocke, & P. 2.
t Zeph. 2, 1, 2, 8. Num. 16, 46.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 425
to shewe there inveterate mallyce againste preachinge
(*the thinge that the devill wrastleth moste againste, all
whose stvdy hathe byn, to decaye the office of preachinge,
which shoolde not be diminished), thay contrary to his
Majesties pious intentions, (who hathe so'*ofte protested
againste all innovations) have cunningly cawsed all Ser-
mons (*the very lyfe & sowle of a faste, as beinge the only
meanes to humble men for there synns, & bringe them to
repentance), to be prohibited on the faste daye, both
in London, & its suburbes, & in all other infected places in
duringe the tyme of the infection in them : yea, in parishes
not infected, (as if preachinge only, of all Gods ordinances
were pestilentiall, &c., and that on the ffaste daye, not on
others :) contrary to the presedents of all former ages, &
that the orders for the generall faste in the 2 laste greate
plagues, which prescribed two sermons of 1 hour longe a
peece, for none & faste dayes,^ & that as well in parrishes
infected, as others, even in the summer season, when the
infection was more contagious & raginge then nowe. By
which device thay have not only made this faste distaste-
full to all* sortes of men in infected places, who have
little harte vnto it, robbed the poore of mooche charitable
releefe, & depryved the people of the spirituall foode &
phisicke of there sowles, when thay neede & desyre it
moste, to there intoUerable griefe & discontente, but quite
suppressed all setled weddensday lectures in London &
other infected townes, as longe as the infection shall con-
tinewe in any one parishe, thowghe it shoolde laste these
7 yeeres (the thinge thay principally aymed at:) forced
t BB: [Lntimer*s] 4 & 6 Serraons before K. Edw: which I woolde our Prelates woolde
now perv'se, & his Sermon of the Plowgh.
u Decluratlon before the 89 Article^, & of the dissolution of the parllamente.
P. 21, 42.
X Zeph. 2, 1, 2, 3. I»ay. 58, 1 to 8. Jer: 28, 29, c. 86, 6 to 11. Act 16, 18. Hob.
4, 12, 13. 2 Tim. 2, 26, 26.
y Order 6 for the faste.
* Who stile it a dombe faste & a mocke faste.
54
426 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
many mynisters &♦ people to flee owte of infected places
into the country, to keepe there fastes, where there is
preachinge ; browght in a* famyne of God's woorde, the
gretest plague of all others, to the encreasinge & further
spreadinge of the presente pestilence, & drawenge downe
of Gods wrathe vpon vs to* the vttermoste, by inhibitinge
ministers in the tyme of gretest neede, to preache vnto
the people, that thay maye be saved. O heavens, stande
amazed at this vnparalled practise of impious popishe pre-
lates ! But is this all ? Noe verelye. ffor whereas his
Majesty * commanded, that the boocke of common prayer
for the faste, formerly sett forthe by his aucthoritie vpon
the lyke occasion, shoolde be reprinted, these Eomish
inquisitors haue miserablie gelded it, after it was newe
printed, in sondry particulars. fSrste, thay have purged
owte the prayer for seazonable weather ; one cawse of the
shippwracks & tempestuous vnseazonable weather ever
sence its publication. Secondly, thay haue dashed^ the
Lady Elizabeth and her children in the olde collect, quite
owte of the newe ; as thay have expunged bothe them,
with our gracious Kinge, Queene, & there children, oute
of the catalogue of Gods electe, by blottinge owte this
clawse (who arte the Father of Thine electe, & of there
seede) owte of the coUecte for them, in this & all other
new comon prayer boocks, as if thay were all reprobates,
& none of the nomber of Gods electe, e}i;her to a tempo-
rail or an eternall crowne. O intollerable impiety, affronte,
& horride treason ! Thirdly, thay lefte owte this coUecte :
It had byn beste for vs, etc., in the newe boocke, (thowghe
the moste effectuall prayer of all) becawse it magnifies
contynewall often preachinge of God's woorde, & the
* And many to i^pende the tyme in Alehowses & Tavemes & to neglecte the Charch.
t Amos 8, llf 12.
a 1 Thes: 2. 15, 16. Isay. 30, 9 to 17. 2 Chrou: 34, 16.
6 See the proclamation.
c The collect for the Queene, &c.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 427
Scriptures, & calls our powerfuU preachers God's servants.
A signe these prelates have conspired togither lyke so
many execrable trayters, to exterpate our frequente power-
full preachers, & contynewall preaching of Gods woorde,
(as thay have doone in many places of late) thowgh pre-
scribed by** God him selfe &* our homelyes. ffourthely,
thay haue dashed this remarkable clawse owte of the firste
collect: Thow haste delyvered vs from Superstition &
IdoUatry (twoo grand cawses, bothe of many-^ former, and
our presente plagues no dowbte) wherein wee were vtterly
drowned, & haste browghte vs into the moste cleere &
comfortable lighte of blessed woorde, by which wee are
tawghte howe to serve & honor thee, & how to lyve order-
ly with our neighbours, in truthe & very tie : the reste of the
collect remayninge as before. Now what can be the cawse
of this strange purgation, but a resolved professed con-
spiracye of these Romishe prelates, euen now agayne
vtterly to drowne vs in* popish superstition & idollatry
(which have now drowned vs in Gods Judgements, by
there stupendious late encrease amonge vs) & to remove
vs owte of the moste cleere & comfortable lighte of God's
woorde, by the which wee are tawghte how to serve &
honor hym, (the true cawse whie thay now suppresse lec-
tures, preachinge & suspende our powerfuUest preachers
every wheare,) that so wee may walke on in Eomish, hell-
ish darkenes, servinge & honoringe the pope & dyvill
insteade of God, & lyve in all disorder with owte tinithe or
verytye. ffyftely, in the 6 order for the faste, thaye have
pared awaye this passage ; to avoyde the inconvenience
that may growe by the abuse of fastinge, some esteem-
d 2 Tim: 4, 1 to 5. Luk. 19, 47; c. 21, 37. John 18, 20. Act. 2, 46, 47; c. 5, 42.
€ Of the righte vse of the church.
/ Numb. 26, 1 to 10; c. 82, 16. Josh: 22, 17. 2 Chro. 21, 18, 14. Paal. 106, 28, 29.
Ezech: 6. 11, 12, 17; c. 6. 11, 12; c. 12, 16; c. 14. 3, 19, 21. Amos 4. 4, 10.
* Witnes there altcrinf^e of the Gunne-powder treason boocke, there pleadinge for the
Pope & church of Roome, & settin^^e vp altars, images, crucifixes, & bowenge to them in
oil CathedralU & elsewhere, & in there owne chappells.
428 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
inge it a meritorious woorke, others a good woorke, & of
it selfe acceptable to God, withowte due regarde of the
ende ; (only to gratefye the papistes, whose ^ doctrine this is,
& to place some merytt in this presente faste,) addinge this
clawse to it : in places where Sermons are allowed by the
proclamation: of purpose to putt downe Wednesday lectures,
& preachinge in London & other places where any parishe
is infected. If these prelats then be thus desperately
wicked & popishe, as to take advantage of God's Judge-
ments, to suppresse the preachinge & preachers of his
woorde, when it is moste necessary & vsefuU, & to cownte-
nance, justefye & sett vp popery, superstition, idolatry, error,
& disorders, (the cheefe cawses of our plagues) even in
these dayes of pestilence, & that in the very faste boocke
to abuse and ^ mocke God to his face, to dishoner his ma-
jestye, & grieve his pious peoples sowles; how transcendently
impious & popish wyll thay prove, when God shall staye
this plague, yf thay be not now deservedly ponished for
these there notorious impieties '? And is it not high tyme
then for his majestye to hange vp suche arche traytors to
our faythe. Christian Religeon, & suche true bred sons
to the Roman Antichriste, (fFrom whom Dr. Pocklington
bostes thay are lineally discended) & to execute judge-
mente on them for these strange purgations, & other
Romishe innovations, whereat the whoU kingedome cryes
shame ; which breede a generall feare of a sudden altera-
tion of our Religeon ? Certaynly tyll his majestye shall
see these purgations rectefyed, superstition & idoUatry re-
moved, God's Sabbathes duly sanctefied,* the suppressed
preachers &♦ preachinge of Gods woorde restored, &
hange vp some of these Romishe prelates & inquisitors
g Bellarmine de bonis operibus; li. 2, c. 11. Bonauentura Diet. Sal: c. 16.
h Job 18, 9. Gnl. 6, 7.
t Sundaye no Sabbath. P : 2 & 44.
* The honor & saf^y of the kingdome. 2 Cron. 17. 8, 9, 10.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 429
before the Lorde, as the * Gibeonites once dyd the 7 sonnes
of Sawle, wee can never hope to abate any of Gods
plagues, or drawe downe any of his blessinges on vs
by ^ suche a faste & faste boocke as this, but augmente his
plagues & Judgments more & more, which haue strangely
encreased synce this faste begun, contrary to all humane
reason & probabillitie : & whereas it moche decreased be-
fore ; the totall nomber dyenge of the plague the weeke
before the faste beinge but 458, & 58 parishes infected, &
the very firste weeke of the faste, 838, (treble the nomber
the 2 laste greatest plagues) & 67 parishes infected.*" Cam-
bridge, Norwich, Hampton, Bath, & other eminente places
cleere before, beinge lykewyse visited since this faste
begunne ; a cleare evidence that God is moche offended
with these purgations, & the restraynte of preachinge on
the faste daye, against which some prelates are so mad,
that thay have sylenced & persecuted dyvers mynisters
since the faste proclaymed, there beinge now so many sus-
pended in our Norwich dyocesse, only for not yelding to
popishe innovations, that in sundry churches, they have
neyther prayers, preachinge nor fastinge, which hatha
browghte the plague amonge them, & made the people at
there wytts endes, many mynisters & people heere havinge
lefte the kingedome, & thowsandes more beinge redy to
departe the lande, there beinge never suche a persecution
or havocke made amonge Gods mynisters, synce Queen
Marye's dayes, as a leacherous, prowde, insolente prelate,
hathe heere lately made against all lawes of God & man,
to the astonishmente of the whoUe realme. What then
can wee expecte but plagues, tyll suche desperate perse-
cutors be cutt of, & Gods woorde & mynisters restored vnto
k 2: Sam: 21. Num:25, 4.
I Isay 68, 3, 4, 5, &c.
m And that the very uext weeke after an order there pablished, that eury scholler
Bhoolde bowe to the altar, & at the name of Jesas, vnder payne of expulsion owte of the
universitie, after 2 admonitionii ; an idolatrous & saperstitioas order.
430 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
there former liberty, by our moste gracious Sovereigne, per-
secution of God's mynisters & people beinge one cheefe *
cawse of plagues; wherefore O Englande, Englande, if
euer thow wilt be free from pestes & Judgements, take
notice of these thie Antichristian prelates desperate prac-
tises, innovations, & popish dessignes, to bewayle, oppose,
redresse them, with all thie force & power: O all yee
Englishe nobles, courtiers, & others, who haue any love or
sparke of religeon, pietye, zeale, any tendemes of his majes-
ties honor, or care for the peoples, the Church, or king-
domes safety, yett remaynynge within your generous brestes,
putt to your helpinge hands & prayers, to restore our reli-
geon & mynysters now suspended, from the iawes of these
devowringe*' woolves, & tyrannisinge lordly prelats, (raysed
from, & fytt only for the donge hill) who make havocke
of them bothe. O our moste pious kinge Charles ; as thow
haste in 2 several^ declarations, protested before God to
all thie lovinge subiectes, that thow wylt never geve waye,
to the licensinge or authorisinge of any thinge whereby
Any Innouation in the leaste degree may creepe into our
church, nor ever connive at any Backslydynge to Po-
perye; and that it is thie hartes desyer to be fownde
woorthie of that tytle which thow esteemest the moste
glorious in all thie crowne. Defender of the faythe : so
now beholde these desperate innovations, purgations, &
Romish practizes of thie Prelates, in open affronte of these
thie declarations ; and now or never shewe thie selfe (as
wee hope, beleeve, & praye thow wylt) a Prince more
woorthie of this glorious tytle, then any of thie royall pro-
genitors, by rootinge all popery, superstition, idoUatry,
errors, innovations, owte of this Church & kingedome, by
fi Ezeoh: 28. 23, 24; cap: SS: 28: 22. Ezech. 14, 12. Eusebius Eccles: Historie 1:9;
c: 8. Cen: Mug: 8; c. 8: p: 31. 82 Ceut. 4, o. 8: p: 156. Uenry Holland his spirituall
preservatives againste the plague.
o Act. 20, 29.
p Before the 29 Articles, & dissolution of the parliamente, pag. 21, 42.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 431
restoringe the preachinge, the preachers of God's woorde,
& puritie of his woorship, & ^ takinge vengeance on
these perfidious prelates, who have thus gelded thie faste
boocke, (and intende to make an Index expurgatorius vpon
all other awntiente Englishe wryters, ere thay be reprinted,
a thinge considerable,) thus openly abused thie only syster,
& hir children now presente with thee ; oppressed &
greaved thie faythefuU subiectes, dishonored thie God,
betrayed thie religeon, increased the plague amonge the
people, & as moche as in them lyeth, robbed thee bothe of
thie Gods & peoples loves, & pulled thie crowne of thie
royall heade, to sett it on there owne trayterous ambitious
pates, by exercysinge all ecclesiasticall power, yea papall
jurisdiction over thie subiectes, in there* owne names &
rightes alone ; & by tramplinge all thie lawes & subiects
liberties lyke copwebs, thie subiectes lyke dogges & dyrte,
vnder there tyranicall papall feete. If thow thus ** execute
judgmente on them, restore preachinge, & ease thie people
from there intoUerable tyrranny, no dowbte this plague
shalbe ceassed, & this faste be pleasinge to the Lorde ; else
he wyll not accepte it, but proceede to plagiie vs more &
more. O blessed Soveraine, that thow dydest but heare the
severall crjes & owtecryes of thie people againste these
persecutinge prelates in many places, especially in our
Norwiche dyocesse, where lytle Pope Regulusf hatha
played such Rex that he hathe suspended above 60 of
our sincerest, paynefullest conformable mynisters, boothe
from there office & benefice, so as many of our churches
(as the lyke was never synce Kinge John's dayes) are quite
shutt vp, and Lorde haue mercy upon us, may be wrytten
q Rom. 18,4; Psall. 101, 8.
* Contrarye to the Statutes of 26 of H: 8, c. 1, 87; H: 8, c. 17; 1 £d: 6, c. 2, 1;
Kliz: c. 1.
r Psal. 106, 80.
t It si^niifies ft lytle kinge^ a wren, & lykewyse a serpente called a Basaliske, so called
becawse lyke a tyrante he kylleth men with bis very sente.
432 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
on there doores ; the people crye for the breade of there
sowles, & there mynisters are prohibited to geve it them :
this not only wowndes but breakes there hartes, & makes
them quite amazed. O therefore, gracious Sovereigne,
helpe now, & heere the petitions, cr)^es, & teares of thie
poore people, & hange vp these Popelinges for these &
other there innewmirable oppressions, extortions, innova-
tions & harmes, who suspende, imprison, & mine others
for meere toyes & tryfles, yea for ♦ defendinge thy Royall
prerogatyve against there papall vsurpations.
This all the newes I shall now imparte in this Currantb,
the nexte weeke, God wyllinge, you shall heare of Mr.
Dade his excommunicatinge of Ferdinando Adams, a
churche warden in our towne, for not blottinge owte this
sentence of Scripture paynted on Mr. Wardes church wall,
over his bawdy theevishe Courte : f It is written, my howse
SHALBE called AN HOWSE OF PRAYER, BUT YEE HAUE FT A
DENNE OF THEEUES, which oxcommunication is of recorde
in Starre chamber ; of our Byshops commandinge. J Woe
IS MEE IF I PREACHE NOT THE Ghospell to be wypcd owte
of Mr. Scotts church, & of the strange proceedinges at
Colchester, againste Mr. Samuell Burrowes,§ for inditinge
parson Newcoman (for raylinge in the Communion table
altarwyse, & cawsinge the communicants to come vp
to the rayles to receyve, in a newe vnaccustomed manner,
contrary to the Statute of 1 Elizab : ca : 2 : & his majes-
ties declarations) which Indightmente the || grand Jury
hathe fownde, this laste Michellmas Sessions: but his
majesty yett can gett no judgemente. So moche are the
Prelates now feared more then God or the kynge, or his
* Witnes Dr. Bastwicks case,
t Matt. 21, 18.
X 1. Cor. 9, 16.
\ See Pryiine's ** Qaench Coale,'* p. 861 ei stq. — Eds.
II & some of them pursevaiited into the high commission for there labor, in aflfronte of
lawe & justice.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 433
lawes &c. In the meane tymes I shall conclude my newes
with the woordes of Patricke Adamson, Archebishop of
St. Andre wes, in his 33 publicke recantation in the Synode
of Ffyflfe, Apryll 8, 1591 :♦ That the office of a diocesan
Bishopp hathe no aucthoritie at all to supporte it in the
woorde of God ; that it is only fownded on the poUitycke
devyse of men; that the primacy of the Pope or Anti-
christe sprunge from it, that it is woorthely to be con-
demned ; & that it hathe byn for 500 yeeres & more the
chiefe originall & instrumente of suppressinge the preach-
inge of Gods woorde in all kingdomes, as all Ecclesiasti-
call Historians testefie, closinge vp this curranto with the
coUecte on St. Mathias daye, — Allmighty God, which in
the place of the tray tor (Byshop f) Judas dydst chuse thie
faythefuU servante Mathias, to be of the nomber of the
12 Appostles, grawnte that thie church being allwayes pre-
served from false Appostles, may be ordered & guyded by
faythefuU & true J Pastors, through Jesus Christe our
Lorde. And with the CoUecte on St. Peter's daye : All-
mighty God, which by thie Soonne Jesus Christe haste
geven to thy Appostle St. Peter many excellente guyftes, &
commaundest hym earnestly to feede thy fflocke; make
(wee beseeche thee) all Bishopps & Pastors § diUigently to
preache thy holy woorde, & the people obediently to fol-
low the same, that they may receyve the Crowne of Ever-
lastinge Glory, throwgh Jesus Christe our Lorde. Amen.
From Ipswich, Nouember 12, 1636:
Thine in the Lorde,
Mathew White.
* Patricij Adamsoni palinodiaB p: 55.
t Act: 1, 20.
t Not lordly Prelates.
\ Which fewe Byshopps now doe, beinge taken vp with secular offices, imployments &
state affare», incompatible with there spiritnall callinges.
II Wood in his list of Prynne*8 works (Athense Oxonienses, iii. 856), says of this
tract, '* Printed, as 'tis said, at Ipswich (but false), an. 1686, in one sh. in qu., published
under the name of Matthew White, three times in that year, and another time in 1641.'* —
Eds.
66
434 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
The tytle & flfrontespice of this boocke followeth.
NEWES FROM IPSWICH.
DiscovERiNGE ceiteine late detestable practises of some
domineeringe Lordlye Prelats, to vndermyne the estab-
lished doctrine & discipline of our church, extirpate all
Orthodoxe sincere Preachers, & preachinge of Gods
woorde, vsher in poperye, superstition & idollatrye, with
there late notorious purgations of the newe ffaste boocke,
contrary to his majestyes proclamation, & there intollerable
affronte therein offered to the moste lUustruous Lady
Elizabeth, the Kinges only Syster, & hir Children (even
whiles thay are now royally entertayned at Courte) in
blottinge them owte of the Collect ; and to his majestye
hym selfe, his Queene, & there Royall progenye, in dash-
inge them owte of the nomber of Gods Electe.
For who bathe despised the daje of small things ? Zech. 4, 10.
Woe bee vnto the Pastors, that destroye & scatter the sheepe of mj pas-
ture sajeth the Lorde. Jer. 23, 1.
Take heede therefore vnto yourselves, & to all the flocke over the which
the Holy Ghoste bathe made you Bishops, to feede the Churche of
God, which he bathe purchased with bis owne bloodde, fibr I knowe
this, that after my departinge shall grievious woolves enter in amonge
you, not sparinge the fflocke. Act : 20, 28.
If the salte bathe loste bis savour, wherewith shall it be salted ? It is
thenceforth good for notbinge, neyther fytte for the lande, nor yett for
the donge hill, but to bee caste owte, & trodden vnder foote of men.
Mat : 5 : 13. Luke 14 : 34.
Edition 3. Printed at Ipswich, An. 1636.
Sir, I pray you pardon my teadiousnes, comende mee to
Mr. Wylson, and so I reste
Yours every wayes in the Lorde,
Thomas Smythe. B.
Tms 7tb of Marche, 1636.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 435
ROBERT RYECE TO JOHN WINTHROP.
(THOMAS 8MYTHE. C.)
Particular orders^ directions Sf remembrances geven in the dyoces
of Norwiche^ vpon the primary visitation^ of the Reverende
father in God, Mathewe^ Lorde Byshop of that Sea. 1636.*
(1) FiRSTE, the wholle dyvyne Service be readde (bothe
the firste & seconde service) on Sondayes & holly dayes, &
lecture dayes, (if they have any): And that the Communion-
service, called the seconde service be awdiblye & distinctly
redde at the Communion table, vnto the ende of the Nicene
creede, before the sermon or homely. Yett so as in verye
large churches the mynister maye come neerer to reade the
Epistle & Ghospell. And after the Sermon or Homely,
the prayer for the wholle estate of Christe's church: &
one or more of the appoynted collectes, at the Communion
table lykewyse ; & after to dismisse the congregation with
the Peace of God that passeth, &c :
(2) That the prayer before the sermon or homelye be
exactely accordinge to the' 55th Canon, (mutatis mutandis :)
only to moove the people, to praye as there prescribed, &
not otherwyse, vnlesse the mynister desyer, to enterpose
the names of the 2 vniversities & of a patron. And no
prayer to be vsed in the pulpitt after sermon, but the ser-
mon to be concluded with Glory to the Father, &c : &
so to come downe owte of the puUpytt.
* This oan hardly be the produotion of the Bishop of Norwich which provoked the
satire of Prynne. Neal, in his ** History of the Puritans ** (vol. ii. p. 298), speaks of another
publication of Bishop Wren, which is more likely to haye excited ridicule. ** Several of
the bishops'* (he says) ** published their primary articles of visitation about this time; . . .
but the most remarkable and curious were Dr. Wren's, Bishop of Norwich, entitled
* Articles to be enquired of mOdn the Diocete of Norwich, in the firtt VinUttion of Matthew,
Lord Bishcp of Norwich.* The book contains one hundred and thirty-nine articles, in which
are eight hundred and ninety-seven questions, &c.'* The paper which Robert Ryeoe here
tmnsinitH h:i!t only tweiity-eiglit articles, and no questions at all. — Eds.
436 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
(3) That the Communion Table (in euery church) do
allwayes stande close vnder the walle vp at the Easte ende
of the Channcell, the endes thereof Northe & Sowthe,
(vnlesse the ordinarye geve partictdar direction otherwyse).
And that the rayles be made before it, accordinge to the
Archebishops late iniunctions, reachinge crosse from
the northe walle to the sowthe walle, neere one yarde in
heighte, & so thicke with pillers, that dogges can not gett
in.
(4) That the Lettany be never omytted on Sondayes,
Weddensdayes, & Frydayes. And that at all the mynister
be in his surplice & hoodde, when so ever he is in pub-,
licke to performe any parte of his priestely function.
And that in readinge the chapters, he leave owte the con-
tentes. And after the lessons doe vse no psalmes or
hymnes, but those that are appoynted by the Common
prayer boocke.
(5) That the Gloria Patri be sayde after euery Psalme,
standinge vp, & that all the people doe awdibly, make all
awnswere in the Lettany, & in all other partes of the ser-
vice, as is appoynted by the boocke of common prayer.
And to the ende (to leade the common people theerein)
that there be a parishe clarke pravyded in euery parishe,
that can reade sufficientlye, & have compotente allowance
from the parishe. And where there is none, that there
bee one forthewith appoynted & chosen, accordinge to the
Canon.
(6) That the Quicu7ique vult (or creede of Sainte Athana-
sius) bee vsed on the dayes by the Rubrick appoynted, in
steade of the Appostles creede. And that the mynisters
forgett not to reade the Collects, Epistles, & Ghospells, ap-
poynted for the conversion of St. Pawle. And for all the
holy weeke before Easter, ffor Barnabas daye, and for Ashe
Weddensdaye, with the commination (also) on that. And
also to vse the prayers & suffrages, goinge the perambula-
tion, which is yeerely to be vsed in every parishe, vpon the
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 437
Rogation dayes — vizt, the Mundaye, Tewsedaye & Wed-
densday nexte before Ascention, & at no other tyme. At
which it is awntiently enioyned that the mynister (at some
conveniente places) doe in a woorde admonishe the people
to geve thankes to God, beholdinge his benefites in the
frutes of the earthe, sayenge the 103 Psalme, & (as tyme
& place shall admytte it) the 104 Psalme. And at any
especiall bownde-markes, this or suche sentences of holy
Scripture, Cursed bee hee that remooueth aw aye the
MARKE OF hts NEIGHBOURS LANDE. And that retuminge at
laste to the chnrche, there thay saye the divine service.
(7) That no man do presume to haue his hatte on his
heade in the tyme of service and sermon in the church.
And that due & comly reverence be vysibly doone by all
persons presente, where the blessed name of the Lorde
Jesus is mentioned. And that euery one of the people
doe kneele devowtely, when the Confession, Absolution,
Commandiments or any Collects, or other prayers, is
readde, both at the tyme of the Communion-Service of the
Church : as also at Christninges, Manages, Burialls, &c.
(8) That they goe vp to the holy table, at Mariadges, at
suche tyme as the Rubricke so directeth. And that the
newe maried persons doe kneele withowte the rayle, &
doe at there owne charge, (yf the Communion were not
warned the Sundaye before) receyve the holy Commu-
nion that daye, or else to be presented by the Mynister
and Church wardens, at the nexte Generall for not re-
ceyvinge.
(9) That woomen to be churched come & kneele at a
syde, neere the communion table, with owte the rayle
(beinge vayled accordinge to the custome, & not covered
with a hatt), as other wyse not to be churched, but to be
presented at the nexte Generall by the Mynister & Church
wardens, or any of them.
(10) That waminge be geven by the Mynister for
holydayes & fastinge dayes of the weeke foUowenge, im-
438 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
mediately after the sermon or homelye. And that the
Communion for the Sondaye followenge be warned the Sun-
daye before, immediately after the prayer for the wholle
estate of Chnstes church. And that as soone as suche
waminge be gyven, the seconde of those 3 exhortations
(which nexte after the prayer for the vniversall church,
are sett downe in the service boocke) be treateably pro-
nownced. After which to followe some of the Colleptes
appoynted ; and to dismisse the people with the Peace of
God, &c.
(11) That when any neede is, the sycke be prayed for,
in the readinge deske (& noe wheare else) at the close of
the firste service ; excepte it bee the aftemoone, and then
to be doone immediately after the Creede, vsinge only those
2 collects which are sett downe in the service boocke for
the visitation of the sycke. That nexte after the mariadge
(if there bee any) be begunne in the bodye of the church
and fynished at the table. That the churchinge of women
do begynne as soone as the mynister comes to the commu-
nion table, before the seconde service ; vnlesse there be a
mariadge the same daye : ffor then the churchinge is not to
beginne tyll those prayers appoynted to be sayd at the Lords
table (for the mariadge), be ended.
(12) That no Mynister presume to marry any persons,
whereof one of the parties is not of his parishe, vnlesse it
bee otherwyse expressely mentioned in the lycence; nor
that he marrye any by vertue of any facultye or licence,
wherein the name of the Archedeacon or officiall is men-
tioned, sub pena suspensionis.
(13) That the parishioners be warned by the Mynister
& Church wardens to bnnge there children to church for
baptisme in due tyme. And if any childe be not browghte
before the seconde lesson, that then the parents be present-
ed for that defawte. And that no baptisme be administred,
(exceptinge in the case of necessetie) but on the Sondaye
or holy daye.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 439
(14) That the ffonte at baptisme be fylled with cleane
water, & no dyshes, payles or basons be vsed in it, or in-
steade of it. And that the Mynister admytte but 2 god-
fathers & one godmoother for a male childe, & 2 good
moothers & one god father for a female : and then doe at
the fyrste aske them, whither the childe be yett baptised or
not. And doe take it in his armes, & do signe it with the
sygne of the crosse when he doothe baptize it. And after
all do admonishe them to bringe yt to confyrmation when
tyme shall serve.
(15) That all communicants come vp reverently &
kneele before the rayle to receyve the Communion. And
that the Mynister repeate to euery communicante (severally)
all the woordes that are appoynted to be sayd at the distri-
bution of the holy Sacramento.
(16) That no wicker bottles, or taverne potts be
browghte to the Communion table. And that the breade
be browghte in a cleane clothe or napkin. And that the
woordes of consecration, be awdibly repeated (agayne) yf
any breade or wyne be vsed which was not at the firste
consecrated.
(17) That the Mynister & Churchewardens of greate
parishes, to avoyde confucion, & over longe wearienge,
bothe of the mynister & of the parishioners, doe take
order that there doe not come aboove 300, or at the moste
400 communicants, to one Communion, ffor which cawse
thay are warned to have Communions the oftener.
(18) That the holy Oblations, in suche parishes where it
pleaseth God at any tyme to putt into the hartes of his
people by that holy action to acknowledge his guyfte of
all which thay have to them, & there tenure of all from
hym, and there debtte of all to hym : bee receeved by the
Mynister standinge before the table, at there comynge vp to
make there oblations. And (then by hym reverendly) pre-
sented before the Lorde, & sett vpon the table tyll the ser-
vice be ended.
440 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
(19) That the Mynister doe chatechyze in the after
noone halfe an hower (at the leaste), immediately after the
laste ringinge or towlinge of the bell for the eveninge
prayer : accordinge to the questions of the churche chate-
chisme only, and standinge in the readinge deaske.
(20) That the Mynisters readinge deske doe not stande
with the backe towardes the chawncell, nor to remote or
farre from it.
(21) That the chawncells & alleyes in the churche be
not encroched vpon by buyldinge the seates. And if any
be so buylte, the same to be remooved and taken awaye,
and that no pewes be made on hie, so that thay which bee
in them, cannot bee seene how thay behave them selves, or
the prospecte of the church or chauncell hindered. And
therefore that all pewes (with in) doe not exceede a yarde
in heighte [sicjy be taken downe neere to that scantlinge,
vntill the Byshopp by his owne inspection (or by the vie we
of some especiall commissioners) shall otherwyse allowe.
(22) That none of what ranke so ever keepe any
chaplyns or schoUers in there howses to reade prayers,
expownde scriptures, or to instructe the famylies, vnlesse
thay bee there vnto enabled by la we.
(23) Whereas Sermons are required by the Churche of
Englande, only vpon Sondayes and holy dayes in the ffore-
noones, & at manages, and are permitted at funerralls, that
none presume to take vpon them to vse any preachinge or
expowndinge (or to holde any suche lecturinge) at any
othe tyme, with owte expresse lycence from the Byshoppe.
(24) That euery one (allowed to bee a lecturer) doe
reade the devine service (ffuUye) in his surplice & hoodde,
before euerye lecture, in the same manner, as is appoynted
on Sondayes. And that all lecturers behave them selves
modestly in there sermons (preachinge faythe, obedience,
& good woorkes: in all thinges observinge his Majesties
declaration prefixed before the 39 Articles, and his Majes-
ties iniunctions), with owte intermedlinge with matters of
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 441
state, or questions late in difference, not favoringe or abeat-
tinge any Scismaticks or Separatistes, eyther by especiall
prayer for them, or other wyse approovinge of them.
(25) That the Churchewardens suffer no man (but there
owne person, vicar or curate) to preache vpon any occa-
sion in there church, tyll he shewe hys lycence, & subscribe
his name in there paper boocke (for that purpose) ap-
poynted, & the name of the Bishop who allowed hym.
(26) That there be the same manner of ringinge of
bells to churche on holy dayes, which is vsed on Sondayes,
And that there be no difference of ringinge to church (when
there is a sermon) more then when there is none : except-
inge the knell for ffuneralls.
(27) That no church or chappell-wyndowe be stopped
vp in any parte, nor the ffloore (in any parte) vnpaved or
vncleane kepte, nor the church any wayes abused, anoyed
or prophanned.
(28) That all defawltes (contrary to the premisses
heereof) be faythefuUye inquired into by the Officialls
from tyme to tyme at there Generalls; of whom the
Byshoppe wyll require an accownte conceminge the
same. Math: Norvic:
*
Concordat cum articulis^
WiLLYELMUS CoLiCAN, Registrarxus,
Pardon my boldenes. Yours euer in the Lorde.
Thomas Smythe. C:
10 of Mabche 1636.
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop: "Mr S: his A: B: C:" also, in
another place, "Mr. R: Answ:"
66
442 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636-7.
(ANONYMOUS LETTER.)
• TO JOHN WINTHROP.
lb the worahip/uU Mr. Wirdroppy at his house in Boston in New
England^ these he dd.
WORSHIPFULL & MUCH HONOURED SiR, My Sclfe with
many others are daily petitioners to God, for his grace to
abound towards you in New England, that you may en-
crease in fayth, wisedome, humility, lone, zeale, patience,
brotherly kindenes, &c. inioying such a competency of
outward prosperity as may make you to line in the seruice
of the Lord the more comfortably. And we are exceed-
ingly gladd to heare of your wellfare, & especially your
growths in holines.
Now for myne owne particular, I haue bin much
moued of late, as obseruing some passages both in your
& our England, to write my slender aduice to some pru-
dent man among you, & one gracious with the plantations,
& thereby able to giue counsell to them, & to prevayle
with them in things conducing to God's glory & your
owne prosperities.
First, I haue red & heard of sundry lettres written from
some with you vnto others with vs, (& I feare there haue
bin very many such sent oner to vs into diuerse parts of
* This letter is without date or signature. It is indorsed hj Gov. Winthropf ** Spec,
Lrt, ab ignot; " which was probably intended to designate it as a special letter from an un>
known hand. We trust the Governor did not mean specious. There are few letters in this
volume of which we should be more glad to know the writer. He says, ** I have not sub-
scribed heereunto, not knowing whither my lettre may not miscarry. The bearer per-
haps can tell you of me." It is a remarkable letter both in style and substance, and
contains many suggestions which might have been heeded with advantage. The reference
to the "Newes from Ipswich,*' and other allusions, leave no doubt that it was written
about the year 1686-7. — Kds.
1636-7.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 443
our land,) wherein there are many weake, & some dan-
gerous passages, which if they should come to the eyes
or eares of any one of many thousands of your aduersa-
ries, it would afford them matter enough to attempt your
vndoing, what in them did lye. And it is Gods mercy
that they are not made knowen, if at least they are not.
As, namely, there came ouer not long since a lettre from
you to a friend with vs, which, I feare, through indiscre-
tion, the eies & eares of many haue bin made priuy to, to
this effect, that whereas it is reported there will be a
Gouemour & a Bishopp sent ouer vnto you, he hopeth
(or else it was, we hope) that God will giue you grace to
stand for his truth ; which words will carry a strange con-
struction with our state, howeuer it might not be soe
meant bv him that wrote it, and it would redound to the
preiudice of you all. Another among you writes, that he
knowes no newse to acquainte his friend with all, but that
you are like to haue warrs the next yeere with old Eng-
land ! Others haue written as freely & vnaduisedly about
your discipline, writing ouer to vs formes thereof, & the
opinions & tenents which you hold, whyther all of them
as they relate, or not, we know not ; which hath caused
a wonderfuU disaffection in very many towards you, &
which is most grieuous, in many such as are the deare
children of God, insomuch that there is like to be, if it
be not maturely healed, a greate rent in affection be-
tweene you & them, that though we are like to see sadd
times, yet there are, till they be otherwise informed, who
are resolued to vndergoe much misery heere, rather then
euer to remoue hence. And one not of meane ranck, &
of long approued holines, hearing of your renouncing vs
to be a church, & that you mainteine the opinions of the
seperacion, contrary to your declaracion at your first going
ouer, professed secretely to one that told it me, that he
could scarce tell how to pray for you. Not that I (for
perhaps not himselfe, in cold blood, doth) approue such
444 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636-7.
yncharitable speeches, but my intention is to shew what a
rent and alienation there is like to be, and how sadd
both myne owne & others harts haue bin made about thes
things, not a little fearing the evill consequences that will
come heereby, both to you & vs, from others, & to you &
vs from ourselues, that soe, if it be possible, as much as
in you lyeth, you may endeauour a prevention of them.
Besides, the whole kingdome begins, or rather proceeds
to be full of preiudice against you, & you are spoken of
disgracefully & with bittemes, in the greatest meetings in
the kingdome. The Pulpitts sound of you both at Visita-
cions & Assises, & the Judges begin to mention you in
theyre charges. The Judg in his circuite now lately,
in giuing his charge & speaking of recusants, rancked
them into two sorts, some Papists & others of the Sepera-
cion, & those of the seperacion were such, he sayd, as pre-
ferred Amsterdam before London, & New England before
Old. And for these last, he gaue a speciall charge, that
they should be lookt after, & to that end that they should
take notice of such as inclined towards New England, for
they were the causes of error & faction in Church & State.
And much more there is, 'tis likely, that neuer came to my
knowledg. I know that the wise among you doe not
expect protection from God, without a mixture of the
serpents wisedome with the doues innocency, & that is as
much wisedome (the serpent being the subtilest of the
beasts of the field) as may consist with innocency ; & as
much innocency (the done being the simplest of the
fowles of the ayre) as may consist with wisedome.
Now giue me leaue to propose some few things, of
which some perhaps, if not all, may doe you good. 1.
You may please in some publike meeting to disclayme all
such lettres tending to the purpose first mentioned, &
withall to establish an order against any that shall euer be
knowen to indite & send ouer such lettres to vs, and
against any that shall speake among you to such or the
1636-7.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 445
like purpose ; that soe if any question be made, at any
time, of these things against you, by any in our state, (as
iustly they may, & will if they meete with it) your order
& penalty to be inflicted on such offenders may secure
you. 2. You may please to haue further cautions giuen
in eury plantacion, touching writing ouer to vs about your
discipline, and how any be censorious of vs heere in
theyre lettres to vs, not calling any of vs, as I vnderstand
some haue done, doggs & swine, especially those of the
profaner sort among vs, nor questioning our ministry &
calling to it, as another with you did in a lettre written ouer
to a godly minister & friend both of the parties & myne ;
for your disclaymings of these & the like odious things
shall much aduantage you, to the preseruation of brotherly
affections & peace with your friends'in old England. As
you may gather heereby, that your disclayming of Mr.
Williams's opinions & your dealing with him soe as we
heare you did, tooke off much preiudice from you with vs,
& hath stopt the mouths of some. Moreouer, you may
please that items be giuen in plantacions, that whosoeuer
of them shall at any time come ouer from you to vs, as
most yeeres many doe, they would spare to speake of any
such or the like matters as aforesayd, yea, though they are
prouoked, for I heare of one of your men now with vs
that disclaymes our church for a true church, & shews I
know not what booke or bookes to that purpose, which if
it be soe, as I heare it reported, it may doe both you & vs
exceeding greate hurt. Likewise that all commers ouer
from you to vs be aduised to carry themselues meekely
& humbly, & not somewhat highly and disdeignefully, as
slighting vs in comparison of you, as some haue bin noted
to doe. 3. That any with you be aduised how they doe
answeare the lettres (such as they may be) of theire friends
sent ouer from vs to you ; for we heare of a letter that
Mr. Cotton should write (how true the report is, I knowe
not yet) in answere to a lettre written to him by one Mr.
446 THE WIXTHROP PAPERS. [1636-7.
Bernard* of Botcombe in Sommersetshire, a man though
vpright in the mayne, yet of very greate weaknesses;
wherein, as we heare, Mr. Cotton should write, that we
are a true church Implicite but not Explicite^ which if it
be soe (as you may soone vndrstand) will doe not a little
hurt among vs, for besides that much fauour will be
graunted vs by the strictest of the seperacion, and might
haue bin graunted our church in the dayes of King Henry
the 8th, or of Queen Mary, which will be the common
exception against that distinction by the most among vs ;
yet suppose the distinction admitted, we doe wonder if a
reuerend & wise minister of Christ should vpon the letter,
or perhaps prouocation of Mr. Bernard, or indeed of any,
send ouer your opinions to vs in such a point, which can
doe vs little or noe good, your selues very much disadvan-
tage many wayes. 4. That your ministers, especially they
of chiefest note, be persuaded to please to write ouer
theire kind letters to theire friends with vs, especially to
the chiefest of the ministry with vs in the seuerall parts
of the kingdome, for the preseruacion of brotherly loue,
which otherwise will decay apace, & it is conceiued by
many that there is a greate alienacion in you of affeccion
towards vs. 5. Aduise may be giuen that any with you
be wary how they receaue some such bookes as haue of
late bin written in our land, which haue more stirred the
state then euer I knew it, and after which bookes there is
greate inquiry made, & many haue bin bound ouer to the
Assises about them, others imprisoned, & not a few are
now, as I heare, in the Starr-chamber about them, & if
once it be perceaued that the bookes goe likewise ouer
vnto you, it will double the preiudice against you. Of
these bookes there are especially two, the one intituled
Newse from Ipswitch, the other conteining the Judgments
of God which within this two or three yeeres he hath
See Winthrop*8 Hist of N.E., i. 276. — Eds.
1636-7.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 447
shewen on profaneners of the Lords day. For the first
of which, it is a booke of extreame bitternes, & farr enough
off from the spirit of Christ, wherein the libeller (for soe
he is generally termed) speakes of the Bishops, that which
the Ark-Angell would not speake .vnto the Diuell ; besides
that he makes in it an apostophe to our king, to whom he
speakes very vnreuerently ; & he pretends the name of
Matthew White, & the newse to be sent from Ipswitch,
which is noe better then lying, & pretends, in the frontis-
pice, a third edition, &c. For the other booke, there are
very many remarkable Judgments mentioned in it, shewen
of late on profaneners of the Lord's day, for the Lord
hath bin knowen among vs by the Judgments that he hath
executed, but the booke is carryed but weakely in the
penning, for it is feared that there is a greate fayling in
many & chiefe circumstances in the instances alleaged, if
some few of them alsoe were not taken too suddenlv on
trust, & heare-say, without well looking after the truth,
insomuch that the Judg, now lately in open Assises, boldly
affirmed that all the instances were eyther altogether or in
part lyes, & bad any one in the audience to say the con-
trary, if he could. Moreouer there is a Post-script added
to the booke, touching the remarkeable hand of God on
Mr. Noy, which taxeth the whole Starr-chamber, & di-
gresseth farr from the question of the booke ; & this latter
is noe lesse, but rather more heinously taken then the
other. The greatest clothier in England, one Mr. Ash of
Sommersetshire, a man reputed for honest, is now in
question for receauing & dispersing 150 of these bookes.
He was bound ouer for it by his Bishop to the Assises, &
about 20 more of ministers & others, and besides much
spoken by the Judg vnto him & of this matter. He told
him that he pittyed him, being one that did soe much good
in his countrey, as setting a 1000 poore people on worke,
but he would be made an example to the whole kingdome.
These things I am bold to certify you of, that in your
448 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1686-7.
wisdome you may doe that which shall most make for
God's glory & your prosperities. Especially our hope is
that if euer any bookes should be pena'd by you, they
will be farr from bittemes or weakenes, & such as may
much profite God's people, & not iustly preiudice you ;
but I suppose your imployments take you vp otherwise.
Lastly, this one thing more, that whereas the hand of
God hath lyen vpon vs aboue these two yeeres, by a
grieuous kind of pox, generall through the kingdome,
killing many of the ageder as well as others of the
yonger sort, & likewise whereas the pestilence hath
reigned for aboue this yeere, & killed betweene 12 & 20
thousand in London, & the suburbs,* & euen layd wast
New Castle in the North, & is like yet further to conti-
new ; by meanes whereof there hath bin a greate stoppage
in trading, & much misery throughout all the kingdome,
for the Lord is highly displeased with vs, & there is some
feare likewise of scarcity, (Oh, our sins are exceeding
greate !) that you would be pleased to procure a generall
publike Fastf throughout your plantations for vs, for we
stand in greate need of it ; afford vs, for the Lords sake,
the help & pitty of brethren, & how doe you know what
fauour this may winne you, both with God & men ? And
how would such a pious course answeare for you to very
many (& some of them your brethren) who thinke you are
gone from vs in affection & brotherly kindenes, as well
as in place. And let me speake freely to you, that if soe
lust a motion as this should find noe place with you, I feare
* Ten thousand four hundred persons are said to have died of the plague in London, in
1686, afler an unusual mortality from small-pox and other malignant diseases for two or
three rears previous. — Eds.
t Winthrop says, 1686 (11), 20: ** A general fast was kept in all the churches. The
occasion was the miserable estate of the churches in Germany ; the calamities upon our
native country ; the bishops making havoc in the churches, putting down the faithful min-
isters, and advancing Popish ceremonies and doctrines; the plague raging exceedingly,
and famine and sword threatening them; the dangers of those at Connecticut, and of our-
selves also, by the Indians ; and the dissensions in our churches.** See Winthrop's Hist,
of N.£., i. 218; Mass. Colonial Records, i. 187.^ Eds.
1636-7.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 449
that God will be angry with you. And O that some poure-
fuU sermon that would endure the reading in old England,
preached with -you vpon such a day, might come to our
hands heere, how ioyfully should we read it, & prayse
our God, & how readily should we obiect it to all such as
eyther condemne or suspect you of vncharitablenes, &
vnnaturall affections !
And now perhaps you may thinke (at least I know
many among you would, for I am well acquainted with
the spiritts of many with you in this thing) that all these
things sauour of feare, vnbeliefe & oner much discretion.
But I would answere them, that what I thus write, it is for
theyre sakes, & well may I shew loue, but why feare
for theyre sakes, I meane distrustfuU feare ? And whereas
my spirit is naturally farr from pragmaticall, inclining
rather to the other extreme, I haue bin much moued of
late thus to write, & yet whither euer I shall come ouer
vnto you, I know not, for I desire to doe the worke of
God, & to glorify him heere or there, lining & dying; and
I haue found the Lords speciall presence with me now of
late (pi'aise be to his name for euer) in such remarkeable
manner, as I neuer found the like before, & I can but in-
ioy his presence in any part of the world. Onely this I
say, that if God send me to you, for I wayte vpon him,
I shall not vnwillingly goe, & whereas he hath pleased to
open a doore of liberty with you for many that haue bin
streightned heere, my desire is to vse all iust wayes to
keepe it open, both for your & our sakes, &, apprehend-
ing you to be our deare brethren, to prevent all such
inconveniences, as (without greate mercy from God, who
yet will be wayted vpon "in the vse of meanes) I plainly
see approching towards you. Howeuer you conceiue of
me, my endeauour is heerein with Jethro to giue aduise to
the people of God, in the wildernes, for whom my prayers
daily are. And soe long as you hold any correspondence
with vs, haue any dependance vpon vs, stand in that rela-
57
450 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636-7.
tion to V8 which you can neuer breake, nor all the waters
betweene you & vs wash away, I cannot but thinke my
aduise, though weake, yet such as may doe you good.
There be other things that I might haue written, but I
shall be gladd if these may be accepted. I haue not
subscribed heerevnto, not knowing whither my lettre may
not miscarry. The bearer perhaps can tell you of me.
Now the Lord in his Infinite mercy be with your plan-
tacions & his churches with you, & with your selfe in par-
ticular, to blesse you & your posterityes after you, to the
world's end.
[postscript.]
Sir, — I humbly entreate you to conceale it, that any
with vs hath thus written vnto you. There is another
thing that I haue noted since I wrote the inclosed lettre,
that many in your plantacions discouer much pride, as
appeareth by the lettres we receaue from them ; wherein
some of them write ouer to vs for lace, though of the
smaller sort, going as farr as they may, for we heare that
you prohibite them any other; and this they say hath
very good vent with you, non bene ripce crediiur. They
write ouer likewise for cutt-worke coifes ; & others, for
deep stammell dyes ; & some of your owne men tell vs
that many with you goe finely cladd, though they are free
from the fantasticalnes of our land.
There is likewise another thing which I haue not men-
tioned in the lettre enclosed, which I suppose you are not
altogether ignorant of, that your Patent is called in & con-
demned, & the Patentees haue renounced, and they are
outlawed that haue not, till they come in & make theyre
peace ; of whom one of them is my neighbour, & is now
riding to London about it. You know, I beleeue, the
causes heereof, but what the effects of it will be we are
ignorant, but doubt & feare, onely we looke vp to God.
I hope you striuc to keepe close with the Lord. How
1636-7.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 451
earnestly can I pray that you may, & that you may all
mind holines, & the things that are aboue, & grow vp in
fayth, loue, humility, & self-denyall ; & that you may be of
an Euangelicall spiritt For if once pride, couetousnes,
opposicion & contention &c. destroy the poure of holines
among you, yea, or your being cast into a new frame of
discipline take you vp for the most part, diuerting your
minds, meditacions & practises from all holy conuersacion
& godlines, there will soone grow a strangenes betweene
you & God, who will then surely bring affliccions vpon
you, to draw you nearer to himselfe. The good Lord in
his infinite mercy be gracious to you. Oh how doe I de-
sire it ! I can noe more forget you then my selfe. And
the Almighty God vouchsafe that both your doctrine &
discipline worke mightily & eflfectually vpon your hearts
& lines, to meeken & sanctify them throughout If you
please to write any thing back to me, the bearer heereof
can tell you how it may be sent & deliuered to me. The
Lord be with your spirit. Amen.
Indorsed by Gov. Wintbrop, ** Spec. Lre db ignoW*
452 THE WIKTHROP PAPERS. [1629.
LETTERS OF HENRY JACIE.*
HENRY JACIE TO JOHN WINTHROP.
lb the Bight Worship/nil Mr. Winthrop in London these he dd.
Worthy Sir, — Mr. Gurdon riding towards Dedham
this morning (not to return this day) cald at the house of
our honest neighbour goodman Kingsbury : & there per-
ceiving how ill he was, being in bed then, he wished them
there to send for me to come thither to see & here how it
was with him, that I might write to your Worship to cer-
tify you thereof; for he had writ to you, but knew not so
well how this party was.
Now these are therfore to enforme your Worship, accord-
ing to his & his wives relation to me (of whose trueth I
dare not doubt), that he is in great weakenes, & more
within this fortnight then of late, in so much that one
Fhysition tels him he is in danger of his life, another saith
* Rev. Henry Jacie (or Jessey, as his name is spelt by some authors), an eminent Puri-
tan divine, was bom 8 Sept, 1601, at West Rowton, in Torleshire, where his father was
minister. He was educated at St John*s College, Cambridge ; spent nine years, after leav-
ing the university, as chaplain in the family of Brampton Gurdon, of Assington, in Suffolk ;
and, in 1638, was presented with the living of Aughton, in Yorkshire, but was removed
the next year for his nonconformity. Upon his ejection from this place, he was received
into the family of Sir Matthew Boynton ; and, in 1685, was invited to take charge of the con-
gregation in London, formed in 1616 by Henry Jacob, and of which Rev. John Lothrop
was the second pastor. Jacie became a Baptist in 1646, and was rebaptized by Hanserd
Knollys. He preached for some time at St. George's, South wark ; fh>m which living he
was ejected at the Restoration, silenced from his ministry, and committed to prison. He
died 4 Sept, 1663 ; soon after his liberation from confinement His portrait is given in
Toulmin*s edition of Nea]*s History of the Puritans. Three of his letters to John Win-
throp, Jr., are printed in vol. i., third series, of these Collections. See also Wood's Fasti
Oxonienses, i. 435 ; 2 Mass. Hist Coll., i. 165. — Eds.
1629.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 453
he is so dangerously sick that he dare not advice him to
purge, it would kill him, nor to let him blood, he is so
weak ; & that he is in danger of a consumption, the state
of his body being changed to worse, so that now he is not
able to go about his ordinary work. He endeavoured of
late to have done somwhat easily, but hath been the worse
ever since, so that he hath been glad to keep his bed til
noon or therabout, every day this sennight. Altogether
unable to travell.
Whereas he had a warrant of your Worship to attach
the bodies of his assaulters to appear at the Assize, one
that was the constables deputy (as he said) left word at his
house as from Sir Robt.,* that they were brought before
him, & he had bound one of them over to the Sessions.
Now he fearing least things should not be rightly caried,
(being not able to go thither, if he live so long,) desires
your Worships direction what course might be thought
best to be taken, & your furtherance therin, for having the
cause brought to the Size, if it may be, & you think good.
As for himselfe, he is nowayes able to go to London for
my Lord's assistance, to take his oath, &c. But if need be
his brother would be willing to go for him. I need not use
any motives to one that so knows the cause, & whose heart
the Lord hath sett for him & his, & to be with the Lord
to help against the mighty.
The Lord enable your Worship still to proceed in so
doing : yea, while you are for him, he will be for you, he
>vil not leave you nor forsake you. To whose Grace,
which is sufficient, I desire humbly to commend you, & so
I take my leave, resting
Your Worships to be commaunded in him,
Hemrie Jacie.
From his house in AsiNGTON, May 5, 1629.
* Sir Robert Crane. — Edi.
454 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1632.
Since the writing of the rest, Mr. Brampton Gurdon,
newly returned from Dedham, from his father, further
certifies me that it is his mind I should write to your Wor-
ship in behalfe of this our neighbour : but now I perceive
not that himselfe hath written to you : wherby I fear least
hbmmziw. they mistook part of his words. But I know he purposed
to certify you of it, to further the procurement of the
Lord Chief Justice's help, to bring the matter to the As-
sizes, notwithstanding his binding over to the Sessions,
which his Worship thought might possibly be procured by
the coming up of this our neighbours brother for him, if
himself were not able, if you sent down word accordingly,
that he may be directed what to do. May it please you
therfore to write down to Mr. Gurdon about it.
HENRY JACIE TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
t
lb the Worahipfulj his very good Friend, John Winthrop junr
Esqr. son to the Cheef Governor of N,E., at Boston there.
Dear Sir, — I humbly & most heartily salute you in
the Lord, as also your loving yokefellow, not forgetting
the other Mris. Winthrops, your pious mother & sisters,
to whom I pray you excuse me, for I want time to write.
How aflFayrs go here may better be related then written.
Neither have I time to write the late passages of that wor-
thy Swedish King : ♦ and besides I have not the late Coran-
toes, to send you any of them, as I would (for they ar of
late as true as ordinar}' letters) yet seing like as cold waters
to a weary soul, so ar good news from a far countrie. Pro.
• Gov. Winthrop records, under date of Sept 27, 1682, " A day of thanksgiving at
Boston for the good news of the prosperous success of the King of Sweden," &c. — lAst. of
N,K,l 90. — Ed*.
1632.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 455
25, 25, I haue therfore sent you the best Corantoes we
have in the house, that have things of most importance,
though some of them long since, yet may be news to you,
of another world. After you have perused them, I pray
you send them according to their superscriptions. This I
adde ; after Tillie's encounter with Gustavus Horn, a brave
Swedish commaunder, a messenger that came from the Arch
duchesse must ne^ds speak with our King. His message
was to certify his Majestie that Gustavus Horn had lost
10,000 men, which Sir Isaac Ashly presently crossed, who
being newly come from the King of Sweden, said such a
report came at 1 to the King of Sweden, which made him
very sad for 2 or three hours : then came a post to him
from Gustavus Horn to certify him that the said Gustavus
had lost 3 or 400 of his men, but had cut oflF 2 regiments
of the enemie, & routed another. This being towards
Bavaria, the King of Sweden sent thitherward a great
armie, which hath greatly spoiled a great part of Bavaria,
making that as the seat of the wars. There about the
Lord hath given that king divers great victories. About
8 weeks since we heard that our Kings Majestie had a
letter, wherein was declared how the forces of Tillie being
encamped on the River Donaw, the Sweds came so hotly
on them, that they were forced through the river, to escape
to Dunwerken in Bavaria. The King of Sweden having
lately took a bridge neer, came upon them thereby quickly,
& drove them out of the town, which yelded to him.
'Tis said the King routed the armie, took al his munition
& ordnance, & took 3000 prisoners. Again we hear since,
that Tillies forces being entrenched strongly by Donaw, &
some othir forces within a few dayes were to joine with him,
against the Sweds. Sweden seing their was no adventur-
ing on the land's side, proffered 10 dollars a peece (1.205.)
to his Finlanders to lead the way over the great water,
which some of them did, & but 3 of al drowned. Yet
Tillie subtilly hath an ambushment against him, which the
456 THE WIKTHROP PAPERS. [1632.
King of Sweden perceived, & seemd as if he did not, set
his ordnance to follow the foot & horse: which being
come to the place, & the ambushment appearing, the horse
tume aside one way, the foot another, & leave them before
the mouth of the canon to play on them, so routed the
armie. Of late the King of Sweden hath had his horse
twice kild under him, yet God preserved him.
The last news we heard was that the Bores in Bavaria
that slew about 300 of the Swedish forces, & took about
200 prisoners, of which they put out the eys of some, &
cut out the tonges of others, & so sent them to the King of
Sweden, which caused him to lament bytterly for an howr.
Then he sent an army & destroyed those Bores, about 200
or 300 of their towns. Thus we hear.
Great stir is among the Turks, because of the Emperour
of them putting a Viseir Basha to death, by an other Basha,
which caused a mutinie, the particulars I cannot, nor have
I time to relate. Mr. Gurdon with Mrs. Gurdon & their
sons & daughter were al wel lately, they having ben now
a fortnight at London, & to stay about a 14 day more.
One Mr. Milbum that sets forth a prognostic under the
name of Soflford, says on the 3d of October next wil be
a fearful ecclipse of the sun in New England. About a
quarter before 4 in the afternoon is the midst of it, with
us not seen, being about 8 at night with us. So he accounts.
He desired me to write to some in New England to observ
it, so should the Longitude be more perfectly known of New
England. I shal send you his observation of it; I pray
Mr. soiforci. you obscrvc it & send me yours, which I shal returne with
his, if you please.* In great hast, I take my leave, rest-
ing Yours in the Lord H. Jacie.
* It appears from a letter of Jaoie, published in vol. i., third serie?, of these Collec-
tions, that Winthrop was prevented from making this observation by the cloudy state of the
atmosphere. We find the eclipse noted in Riccioli's catalogue as central in Mexico, and
go 87'' digits eclipsed. The eclipse of the moon which occurred on the 17th of October,
1632, was observed by Winthrop, and the result sent to Jacie, as noticed in the next letter
in this volume. See 3 Mass. Hist. Coll., i. 243. — Ens.
1633.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 457
Dr. Taylor of London dying, hath given (we hear) 20^
yeerly for a yeerly Sermon to be as a memorial of Leips-
wich.
Mr. Nathaniel Rogers desires to have his best respect
remembred to the Cheef Governor (as I also) & to Mrs.
Winthrop & your selfe.
Indorsed, '' Mr Jacy, received Sept : 20 : 1632. Of the Eclipses.*'
HENRY JACIE TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
lb hie Worthy friend Mr. John Winlhropt aonne to the Bight
Worthy Chvemour of New England.
Worthy Sir, — If you knew how ioyful a thing it was
to me to receive (the last night) though but one letter from
your so renowned plantation (vizt. from Ephraim Child), I
am perswaded you would have added to my ioy by a line
or two. Before this his letter, yours dated October 21, 1632,
concerning the moones ecclipse, October 17, was the last
I received thence. A copy of that I sent to Mr. Milbume,
from whom I expected to have received more in that kind
about ecclipses, & directed him how to send to you. I re-
ceived none since from him. Our estate here in particular,
in general, you may better hear from the honest bearer
John Firmin, then by my letter. The Lord hath been mer-
veilous in his mercies to this our land ; and we have dealt
shamefully unthankfuUy with him : and therefore if he pro-
ceede to deal wonderfully in his judgements against us, as
he threatned to do with Israel, Isa. 29, 13-15, that the
wisdome of the wise sh[all] fail them, & the seers [b]e
covered, etc., it were just with him. We have not feared
when he hath oft shaken the rod, nor turned to him when
he hath smitten us, except fainedly, and then to our sins
5S
458 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1633.
againe. Yea, even to spiritual adultery, defiling the mari-
age bed, & yet say, wiping our mouths, What evil have we
done ] Who dare charge us therewith ? Name him that
we may make him smart for it ; as some have, others do, &
more are likely. I read lately a large letter from Arch-
bishop Grind^l of Canterbury to Queen Elizabeth, from
whom commaund was comming to him to forbid exercises,
& cause fewer preachers in regard of contention, etc. He
writ, God forbid his tongue should be an instrument of
publishing that was so to Gods dishonour. We have no
power against the trueth, but for the trueth. How it is
for the Sabbath you shal heare. What wil become of us
God knowes. We had need stand as much in the gap as
we can, tho' we be not without some danger for it. Blessed
be God, there are divers such in this cold climate of York-
shire, yea & in Northumberland, people, ministers, gentle-
men, & here some knights also. Pray for us, deare Sir, &
desire your ministers to do so in publick, though I conceive
they oft do so. God is not yet departed ; he walks some-
times in our gardens, & makes some dead herbs to live and
blossome, both elder & yonger, in these cold seasons. The
God Alsufficient be amongst you, and perserve you, that
you may be al of one mind according to trueth, that you,
having salt in your selves, may be at peace one with another,
Mar. 9, end : that you may deny your selves, & your own
reasonings, in humility condescending one to another, so
far as may stand with a good conscience, considering one
anothers weakenesse to cover it in love, avoiding needles
disputes, causing strife, rather then edifying, Heb. 13. 9.
I desire al your prayers for me to the God that heareth
prayer, that he that hath called me here to the ministery,
& given desires of doing his work faithfully & syncerely,
tv irappriaia & humility, would dircct me in al things to do his
wil, & keep my selfe pure, & vphold & blesse me & my en-
deavours, as he hath given me cause of praises to him in
this behalfe. Blesse his holy name with me, who rejoice
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 459
with you in his great kindnes towards you, and hope I shal
no longer live, then I abide
Your & New Englands faithfull friend so far as I am
able Hen: Jacie.
AuGHTON, Dec. 17, 1633.
My best respect & heartiest love remembred to al my
deare friends with you, richer & poorer ; for I am straitned
in time. I can write no more now thither.
HENRY JACIE TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To (he Worahip/uU his very good Friend John Winthrop the
Yonger, Esquier, in New Ipswich, in New England. Leave
these with the Right WorahipfuU Mr. Winthrop of Boston.
London 6th month ISth day.*
Good Mr. Winthrop, — Though about 2 or 3 months
ago I writ to you, yet it seeming that that letter is not yet
sent away, & now there being further opportunity of send-
ing, I desire, what in me lies, to make some satisfaction for
my former neglect, or at least, not so oft performing it in
this kind, as love & respect, I ow, bind me. Now to
acquaint you with our aflfaires : S. Mat : f having (by the
Lords good provision) obteined a most meet helper, as one
of the same heart, mind, & spirit, remaining this 12
month within 20 miles of London, in a place 5 miles from
the Parish Church, hath enjoyed great freedome: but now
of late the clouds gather fast towards a storme, their ship
is like to be filled with waves, but they seeking to awaken
* Although the year ia not given, it ia sufficiently designated by the contents of the
letter as 1637. — Eds.
t Probably Sir i/ofthew Boynton. — Eds.
460 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
Christ for their help, they there desire to expect all help.
As for me, the Lord having discovered the necessity & beauty
of being under Christs Government, & refrained some time,
hoping the last spring to haue come with them to Nevir
England. Now seing they ar yet stayed & ar like to stay,
I know not how long, til they be satisfied, I could not so
be content, tho I enjoyd so great priviledges there, bodily
& spiritual : but having been sued unto & oft provoked
by that society wher Mr. Lathr : ♦ was, & long sought, &
at last obteined ful satisfaction for uniting to them, the
Lord removing divers lets, & providing so wel for
the place I supplied, I am now come to London to
them, though not undertaking any office, though now
urged to it, desiring first to hear from some in New Eng-
land to whom I writ about half a yeer ago. Letters to
me may be directed as before, to be left with Mr. Overton
in Pope's head Alley.
Touching Mr. Burton etc. He having preached No-
vemb. 5. on Prov. 24. 21 ; My son, fear God & the
King, & meddle not with them that ar given to change ;
then urged his people to take notice of many changes of
late in books allowed, & in practise, as altars, etc. and
being charged to answere before the High Commission,
he appealed to the King. Being asked why he did so, he
answered, because I would not have mine adversaries be
my judges. Hence being forced thro danger to keep his
house, he writ to the King the grounds hereof, together
with his 2 sermons, as also to the Judges etc., which he
appointed that vpon his apprehension should be delivered
to the Counsel as they sate, by his wiffe, which was per-
formed. She ergo was imprisoned for a time, then
releasd upon petition. He remaind close prisoner in
the Fleet, as Mr. Prynn in the Towr, & Dr. Bastwick at
Gatehouse, divers books being by stealth printed & di-
* Rev. John Lothrop, afterwards of Scitaate and Barnstable. — Eds.
1637.] THE WIKTHROP PAPERS, 461
vulged, (as News from Ipswich, of that Bishop Wrens
acts, etc:). Judgments on Sabbath breakers of late, therin
a story of Mr. Noys death ; Dr. Bastwick printing npo^eif
Tuv Emax<muv^ contcining ther acts in their proceedings
against him, for some passages against Lord Bishops in
his book of reply in justifying the Kings supremacy
against the Bishop of Rome, he having had many con-
fronts here by a papist in that point. Then (as the
Star Chamber bil saith) he writ a book cald a Leitany,
wherin were many scandaulous passages, as, From Bishops,
Priests, & Deacons, Good Lord deliver us. Also this,
he therin in his wives name entreats Father William
of Canterbury ♦ his holines (so is his stile) & Father Wil-
liam of London,t Magnificus Rector of the Treasury, to be
Godfathers to her child, not doubting but that her hus-
band should procure the Whoor of Babylon, their old
Mrs. with whom they had so long committed adultery, to
be Godmother. And then (says he) we shal have such
a Christening as hath not been in Europe this many a
blessed day, etc. Mr. Burton's books being spread by divers
persons known. Also Mr. Wakelin, Esq. when the Church-
wardens of Bures enquird whether their comunion table
should be placed altar wise, & pailed in as others are, he
answered; Its no matter, its but a dance before Popery.
He being rebuked by others there answered ; You may say
what you wil ; the King hath a wife, & he loves her wel,
& she is a papist, & we must al be of her religion, & thats
the thing the Bishops aime at, etc., as the bil hath it.
Those 3 ergo^ with Mr. Wakelin & about 16 more,
were al joind together in a Starchamber bil, as such as
ar combind together in their practises : the one doing or
speaking so by the procurement, abetting etc. of the rest.
These 3 came to their answer neer the end of June, whose
speaches then were taken by some, showing how they were
* Laud. — Eos. t Jazon. — Eds.
462 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
hindred from giving answers, being close prisoners, &
counsel not comming, & ther own answers not admitted ;
& now Mr. Pryn would give his on oath. But now no
answere to be admitted, but their guilt taken pro confesso.
They were censured at 5000/i a peece, & perpetual im-
prisonment. Mr. Burton being first degraded, they al to
stand on the pillory, then to loose their eares in Westmin-
ster pallace ; Mr. Pryn also to be branded with S. L. for
Seditious Libeller, which was performed Jun. last, (& their
speaches then ar recorded by some writers.) Some say
S. L. is for Syon s Lawyer.* The morning they suffred, Mr.
Burton said thus to his sad wife : Good wife, let me not see
a tear in thine eyes, nor hear a groane from thy heart ; I
have had 2 very joyful dayes, the first when I married my
former wife, the latter when I married thee : & it was a
joyful time indeed: yet nothing comparable to this day.
This day the Lord puts greatest honour upon me, and he
so fils me with comfort, that I am not able to keep it in,
and I long to be at the work I am cald to, etc, (or to this
eflfect). Then presently the Ojficers came for him. Dr.
Bastwick & Mr. Pryn were set on one pillory : who sweetly
embraced one another. Mr. Burton soon after was
brought to the other pillory, somwhat lower. Many
thousands of people were there, al generally pitying or
applauding them, & oft laffing & clapping & shouting for
joy, to see so great courage, & comfort, & undauntednes
• We find in the work entitled " A New Discovery of the Prelates* Tyranny," &c., the
following epigram, said to have been compoeed by Prynne, while on his return, by water,
from the Palace Yard at Westminster to the Tower: —
"S. L. Stiqmata Laudis.
* Stigmata maxiUit rejerens inngnia Lavdis,
ExvUans remeo^ victima grata Deo.*
" Which one since thus Englished,
* Triumplinnt I retume, my face descries,
Lavd*8 scorching Scars, Gods grateful sacrifice.*
" And Mr. Prynne himselfe thus,
* Bearing Lavd'b Stamps on my cheeks, I retire.
Triumphing, God's sweet Sacrifice, by Fire.' " — Op. eit. pp. 65, 66.
Eds,
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 463
in each of them : they 2 spake to Mr. Burton, he to them,
the people to each of them; encouraging & comforting
them: al this without any controll, except by one or 2
officers, as one observed, that went round about to observe
the peoples dispositions. One woman indeed, that was won-
drous free in her speaches to them & to the people, going
up & down, encouraging them to suffer : speaking of the
enemies cruelty, an officer overheard & laid hold, & chargd
a halbertman to cary her away. She passing a litle way
on, said to him ; Friend, I have nothing to say to you ;
& smiled on him, & so went among the rest, & he let
her go.
There without any interruption, first Dr. Bastwick, then
Mr. Pryn, then Mr. Burton, made large speaches to the
people, declaring the cause of their suffrings, & what
comfort they had in it, against the Prelates. Mr. Pryn
said the statute was thus, made in Queen Elizabeths
reigne, that if one usd libels against the King or Queen
ther should be 2 months imprisonment, & 300/t fine,
(which had been I take it, but I month, & lOOli in Queen
Mary's reign) but for want of paying that fine, such pun-
ishment as seemed proportionable. Wheras now see the
change of times (said he) when they say we ar libel-
lers against the Prelates (yet prove it not), we ar fined
5000/i a man, & perpetual imprisonment, & besides that,
to have this corporal punishment, etc.
They were to stand on the pillory (I think) 3 hours :
some there observd that the handle on the clock was set
backward, sometimes J an hour at a time. So having
joyfully & triumphantly suffred, despising the (intended)
shame, they were had, each to the place whence they
came, where they were very much visited by al sorts, ex-
cept black coates (for none (or scarce any) of them, visited,
or were at their pillory suffrings, or accompanied them
toward the places whither they were adjudged to be
464 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
caried, as thousands did) which was one part of their cen-
sure, Dr. Bastwick to a castle in Comewal, Mr. Burton
to Lancaster, Mr. Pryn into a castle in Wales, which was
performed about 3 weeks after; one 3 or 4 days after
the other, with abundance of people, & happy he or she
that could get them by the hand, or but touch their
coat, (as one said wel, I toucht his coat once more).
Divers had writ lettres to their Christian friends that
dwelt neer the way towards these 3 castles, & many peo-
ple met them in several places, & so went alongst with
them, til others came in. Dr. Bastwick we hear hath a
very poor hole to lodge in (& so Mr. Burton) (where the
countrey rogues were wont to be it seemes.) We hear not
yet of Mr. Pryns place, what it is. By these devices the
Prelates hoped to have more prevailed ; but its feared they
have lost greatly by it. The poor credit they had with the
vulgar is almost quite lost Every wrech, & swearing &
drunken beast almost, is ready on the least speach, to cry
out on them, which makes many consider Mai. 2. 8, 9.
Because you are departed, you have caused many to
stumble, ergo have I made you contemptible. Good Sir,
sympathise with our land, with our visible church. I
want time to write to many friends. Salute Mr. & Mrs.
Saltonstall, William Spaf., with Robert, &c. Accept hereof
instead of many lettres from
Your faithful tho unworthy friend H. Jacie.
Indorsed by John Winthrop, Jr., " Mr. Jacyes Letter about Mr. Prinn,
Mr. Burton, & Dr. Bastwick."
1647.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 465
HENRY JACIE TO JOHN WINTHROP.
[Fo]r his much Honoured Mr. Winthrop, Oovernour in Maaaor
chuseta Bay.
Honoured Sir, — I salute you with Mrs. Winthrop in
our Lord Jesus. Though at present I am much streightned
in time, yet I would not omitt, though but abruptly, to
manifest my respects to you, who have writ more to me
about Fsedobaptism then any from New England; and
though therin at present we agree not, yet meeting in
Jesus Christ, our Center, the Way, we shal come to the
end of our faith : & I rejoice that the day draws nigh,
when the earth shalbe filld with the knowledge of the
Lord, & then, when our drosse & stubble shal be consumed,
we shal see, each of us, whats amisse, & know whats
trueth.
I have sent to Mr. Cotton or Mr. Wilson a book for the
Governors, of the present proceeds between the King &
Parliament ; the King being in hold at the lie of Wight,
where Col. Hamond a godly man is Governor, whom* he
h [torn] told that the time wil come when he must beg
his life of him, or his son, &c.
His old attendants are removed, & his liberty streitened.
Yet he bears it out, (its said) without appearance of sorow.
What great alterations have been in the Army, Parliament,
& Kingdome, since the beginning of the 4 month of the last
yeer ; & upon what grounds the Parliament stood on their
guard, came against the city's ill party: what change in the
Parliament & what thanks afterward to the Army, for
their good service in such proceeds, I having reservd by
"me, do herewith send to you, judging it would be accepta-
ble, to see the grounds of such proceeds, & the maner ;
59
466 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1047.
■
when all had like to have been enslavd again, after Caval-
liers were subdued.
About your law touching Anti-Paedobaptism, what is
seriously writ to the Elders to importune you, I besech you,
if there be any consolation of the Spirit, any fellowship
with Christ, any bowels of mercy, that you with the rest
of the Magistrates would consider off, for its desired you
might be acquainted there withall, & might so proceed
therin, as you may not have greef, but comfort at that day
of Jesus Christ; Mat 25. 35-41. I have not time to en-
large about that to you.^ Accept here of from him that
must pray, that as you begun well, you may proceed well,
in tendemes to Christs lambs & litle ones.
Your friend that would joy in your joy, though of late
somewhat sadded by occasion of that law, (as is writ to
the Elders). H : Jacie.
12 MONTH Adab, 22. 1 iij.,, „^.^
VULG. MAECH6 ^l«47year.
Sir, since my writing this letter, I having received very
good news from (lately almost lost) Ireland, & the last rela-
tion of our kingdom's affaires, I herewith send it to you.
Indorsed bj Gov. Winthrop, " Mr. Jacie, per Firmin, (3) 48."
1627.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 467
LETTERS OF EDWARD HOWES*
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his very huinge ffrinde Mr, John Winthrope, these ddiver at
Oroton.
Deare Sir, — Tha skillfullest paynters some tymes be-
stowe theire best colours vpon deformed pictures, and wisely.
Some orators, to blazon the vices of some catiffe, speaketh
of the contrarie vertues ; soe you (accordinge to your gentle .
nature) haue prouided a vaile to couer my deformitie ; that
I, daylie seeinge my selfe through it, may thereby appeare
the more deformed, and soe seeinge, fall a loathinge, and
then (by diuine assistance) leauinge my deformitie, become
conformed to what you would haue me, euen to a confor-
mitie of mynd and maimers, which as yet I am farre shorte
of, though my studie be for such perfection. It hath pleased
you to conceiue better of me then euer I could of my selfe,
yea, doe for me more then euer I would haue done for my
selfe, which maketh my loue (which you call frindshipe) a
* Edward Howes was a most confidential correspondent and devoted friend of John
Winthrop, Jr. ; but we know little more about him, except what is derived from his own
letters. A number of them have already been printed among the ** Winthrop Papers/* in
vol. ix., 8d series, of oar Collections. In one, dated March 18, 1632, he states that he had
commenced **the Stadie of the Lawes;** and it is suggested in the notes, that he may have
been a stadent with John Hnrafrey or Herbert Pelham. But we think the letters here
given indicate that his master (as he calls him) was Emanuel Downing. It may be noticed
in this connection, that a letter from Rev. Thomas Archisden to Howes, dated Jan. 80,
1631, and printed in the same volume of Collections, is addressed to '*Mr. Edward Howes
at Mr. Downing*s in Fleet street** He was plainly a person of great intelligence and in-
genuity, and warmly interested in the welfare of the Massachusetts Colony. He frequently
alludes to a disposition and a purpose to come over to New England ; but there is no reason
for thinking that he ever came. This first letter was written on the return of the younger
Winthrop from the expedition of the Duke of Buckingham to the Isle of Rh^, and while
he was considering some plan of literary or professional life. — Eds.
468
THE WINTHROP PAPERS.
[1680?
duty euer vowed to you. I loue to write playnely, for I
knowe it pleaseth you, and to displease you, if it weare pos-
sible I might, I could not. As for the vniversitie you watt
of, what neede you be a schoUer there, whereof you are pre-
sident ? I, beinge but a sophisticall studient, studie as I am
bound to giue accompt of my tyme. Come when you will, I
shalbe fitted with a plus vltra^ or somthinge, meane while
I meane to make holly daye no we, and then when I can but
finde a holy hower, to praye for our prosperous proceedings,
which God graunt to his glorye and our comforts, Amen.
Grace be with you and him whoe is
Yours EpwARD Howes.
Die Mabtis, 10 Noctur. hor. Jan. 22, 1627.
Postscript. Solomons Wis-
dome, 7 chap. 21 vers : And
all such things as are either se-
cret, or manifest : them I knowe.
JDic — Qy,id lex est illi qui
sibi lex est. Lex mihi Onus et
HonuSy cfec.
The tyn cannot destroje whsts
written in the Harte.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To my assured frind Mr. John WirdJirop at Oroton, these dlr.
Serenissimo mio Amigo, — Yours came to me in serena
die, the supposed clouds, with soe gentill a gale of wind,
being driuen from the horizon of our auncient yet not old
growing amity. Your newes was as welcome, as my thanks
is redie to expresse my gratefullnes, for giuinge cause vnto
me of newbome, or at least renewed meditations.
1630.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 469
I perceiue he whoe trusts most in God and least in man,
him wiU God vndoubtedly assist m aU his enterprises. He
that trusts in any thing but God, that thinge shall faile him,
if not shame him. He that is proude of his knowledge, the
simple shall n|t him to silence, as appeares by your Hadley
newes. I would gladlie knowe how he applyed his medi-
cine, which is the rediest waye to conceiue whereof tis made.
I joye at your sisters encrease of leaminge, quia ars aurum
prcBstat^ and is the best companion in all estats, it maketh
merie when neither honors, frinds nor welth will or can.
Would I might become her pupill, and leame her doctrine,
for the much desired good of a speciall frind. My master
desires you not to come vp vntill you haue concluded your
busines, that you may stay some tyme when you come.
Let me intreat you to send me a R to molifie Agolyarso* if
you can. Vale in Christo.
Tuu& dum dego^ Edward Howes.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
7b his very louinge /rind Mr. John Winthrap at Chroton these <Ur,
in 8uff.
MoNsiER, — All health and saffety to your habitation. I
send you many thanks for the receipt, your sister should
haue had thanks, had she sent it ; she may haue loue, but
her charitie was but little ; I thanke Grod I am recouered.
Doth she nowe thretten me for my kindnes? be it her
pleasure, I wiU not pertake thereof. I pray you with frind-
ly greeting present my vnchainged frindship to her, and
* This method of secret writing, used frequently by Howes in his correspondence with
the younger Winthrop, is read by taking only the alternate letters of the word, commen-
cing either with the initial or second letter, as the case may be. The word in the text will
thus read ** gbu,'' — Eds.
470 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1630.
acquaint her ho we I deliuered your letter to Mr. Clarke,
whoe saith he had the watch a while, since it was mended,
& it went not right, soe the watchmaker hath it againe.
He saith I shall haue it next weeke to send it downe, it
will cost about 15 or 16 shillings mendinge. ^^end me word
whether Mr. Clarke shall lay out the monie, or I ; had it
bin done tyme enough it should haue binn sent to your bro-
ther to Southampton. I heare he is not yet g[one ; ther]e
Si^bSS^ are 4 shipps gone on Wensday senight, (God speede them.)
«b» • You shall receiue here inclosed a lettre from Mr. Hewson,
with whome I was this mome, he tells me the name of the
ship is the Thomas & William, of about 200 tunn, she hath
some 16 peices. The master, WiUiam Bunduck, of Wapping,
is a man of very good reporte. She falls downe to Graues
end about teussday come senight ; it willbe about tomorrowe
fortnight ere she will leaue the Thames. She hastens awaye
the sooner because of diuerse Turkey marchants companie
& assistance. If you knowe of any stmdie youths that will
goe seruants for 6 or 7 yeare, they may nowe haue enter-
tainement of Mr. Hewson, or any other that will goe at theire
owne charge. There is roome in this ship for 20, and yet
they will not carrie aboue 60 passengers, whereas the Tal-
bott carries about 200. Conceiue my inferrence. As for
hens, the ship master will carrie them, if you prouide them
& theire meate, & send them aborde ; but he will not stand
to the hazard of them. Mr. Hewson tells me he hath a
frind in towne, whoe nowe goes ouer, & whose wife is in
Newe Englande, at Salem, & hath store of hens ; he s[ai]th
you may haue as many as you will there for 2« & 6d. a peice ;
but Mr. Hewson saith if you will haue any of this man, he
will buy them as for himselfe, & he hopes much cheaper,
and your father shall haue them, as he payes ; he saith it is
as troblesome to carrie ouer turkeys as goats ; but if you
* The ** Jewel ** and the " Ambrose ; ** the four vessels being those in which Winthrop
and his company embarked for New England. — Eds.
1630.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 471
will send them, or rabbetts, with meate for them, the mas-
ter offers to doe his best to deliver them safe, but not war-
rant them. Here dyed 1 1 this weeke of the sicknes, there
is 6 parishes infected. I pray God make vs all alwayes
readie for our dissolution. Thus with prayers for you as
for my selfe, desiringe you there in to assist me
Your louinge frinde, E. Howes.
Peterbobough Court in ffleete streete, the 16th of Aprill, 1630.
Direct your lettres to Mr. Tho. Hewson at London Stone,
and it is sufficient, he sayth.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To my [ /r]ind Mr. Joh[n Winlh]rop at Chroton these deliver .
Suff.
MouNsiER, — I receiued your first letters but on friday
night last weeke, it seemes either the carrier or the porter
had forgot it ; wherein you writt that I knowe that the let-
ters I sent you were not welcome : beleiue me it was more
then I knew, for doe you thinke I would sell my frind for
sight of a letter that concerned not me, for so small a trifle ?
The truth is this, my master he opened your letters, sup-
posing they had come from your father, and seeing the con-
trarie, presentlie sealed them vp againe. Your letters last
weeke and those this weeke I haue sent to Exeter, and the
other secundam fonnam, I was with Mr. Kirbie, he hath
not receiued the monie, but is promised he shall haue it to
morrowe. As for the other quce obscure latet^* I hope •mtttBi.
- , , M Ttram 1111
to resolue you next weeke ; there is a shipp preparinge by jJJ'JJJJ^
Londoners for New England. I shall shortlie speake with
some o'the vndertakers, and then you shall know further.
dnUB tUJB
472 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1631.
•It ehwto- Your cosen Marie and all our frinds salute you.* Numguam
in Balneo Marie puto petram laxiare, quia niger mgnor
nigro Albissimum 1> hxibet : ride, non ride nisi solus, &c.
Thus salutinge you with my best loue I rest
Tuus dura sum, E. H.
Omnibus tecum salutem,
esse precor. Vale.
Barbara desires Mrs. Vrsula to remember the ruffe &
cuffs.
This mominge, being about to seale my lettre, there came
an honest man, a QijTurgeon, on of Mr. Welds perish
in Essex, & Mr. Haynes man, to speake with my master,
they both Aboraoluggehite myolneerys fiotro* New Eng-
land. I haue sent them to Onterlamysa-f The Chyrurgeon
is an aimcient man ; he purposeth to goe about Michaelmas
next. Mr. Weld hath sent Stuhrierotayo plobugnedaso, J
the rest as much or more. Ffarewell.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
lb his huinge /rind Mr, John Winthrop at his father's house in
the McLchassetts Bay, these deliver ai Boston in New Engdand.
Charissime J. W., — Health to you and to all the Israeli
of God: as this doth testifie my life & health, soe let it
my harte & minde ; perswade yourselfe that all the water
betweene vs shall not be able to wash away my former pro-
fessed loue to you, and the place where you are, and to the
persons with you, to whome I am obliged in a neuer to be
cancelled bond. The bookes Mr. Gurdon hath fetcht away,
* " They both hnmghi momy for New England.** See note on p. 469. — Eds.
t ** Nelms/* a seat often mentioned by the Downings. — Eos.
X " Thirty pounds.** — Eds.
1631.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 473
and the Lana is at your service ; soe is both the books &
Sol^ & quodcunque sub sole hahet^ vel hahehit me, fuum.
I heare your mothers vnkle is dead, and hath left her an
lOOZi in his will. Heare is a mutteringe of a too palpable
seperation of jour people from our church gouemement.
Alias, alas, it is not any outward will worship that God re-
quires, but God being a Spirit ought to be worshiped in
spirit & truth. There are many guifts by one and the
same Spirite, yet not all giuen to one man. Let euery
man, as the gidft is giuen, continue m his callinge, one to
rule, another to convince, another to exhorte, one the guift
of healing, another the guift of tongues &c. The eyes can-
not performe the office of the hand, nor the eares of the
tongue, &c., hence you receiued your being, and best being ;
in striuinge soe sodainely to be better, may proue to be
Starke naught. Thus in rude termes I haue exprest my
mynde out of at tender regard of the weaknes of your infant
state : children suck the brests of theire mothers, stronge
meate is for stronge men ; I pray God account you and pre-
serue you all as worthy stones in buyldinge his newe Jerusa-
lem, and that ye may be conformable to the head stone
Christ Jesus, whoe make ye wise to the salvation of your
owne soules, your generations after you, and the poore hea-
then with you ; that ye become not a prey to the spoyler,
and your children tume heathen, yncessanfly shall pray
Your E: Howse.
I hope my interest in you may procure a shorte relation
of your arivall, of your present bcinge, and some direction
for the disposinge of my selfe, my estate, & affaires here.
Vale in ChHsto. E. H.
Peteeborouqh Coukt, 9° Nouember, 1631.
I haue sould all and meane to foUowe, Deo iuvante.
60
474 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1632.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
lb my much esteemed /rind Mr, John Winthrop *the yonger these
deliver at Boston in New England,
Worthy Sm, — Vpon the 23th of March last past, mth
greate joye I opened your letter, but with sorrowc and
greife read the same, consideringe the affliction God had
layed vpon you. Your letters all I my selfe dispcrst into
the contrie, and deliuered the rest according to the super-
scriptions, only Dr. Ayleworth I cannot as yet find out.
The receipt of morter you shall here receiue, vizt. One man
he buylt with this mixture ; 2 loads of wast soapashes, one
loade of lyme, one loade of loame, and one loade of Wool-
wich sand, tempered together. An other man vsed only
loame & soape ashes tempered together, instead of morter,
whereby he layed the foimdations, chimnies, and theire
tunells &c., of aboue threescore howses in London & the
suburbs. I am about to procure all Piatt's* workes to be
reprinted, or else I would haue sent you my Jewell house
of Arte & Nature. I am crediblie informed that clay, other-
wise called loame, & horse or cow dimge tempered together,
will make an exceeding stronge bindinge morter. I con-
ceiue the manner of buyldingc in Ireland, vizt. to frame
the howse and rcare it, then with loame & strawe tem-
pered together, to daube both out side & inside to a foot
thicknes or more, to be very stronge and warme. I was
lately tolde that in Italy men vse to temper ox blood & claye
* Sir Hugh Piatt, the indnstrious author of various agricultural and mechanical works.
Harte says of this writer, " Sir Hugh Piatt (not to mention his other excellent talents)
was the most ingenious husbandman of the age he lived in ; yet so great was his modesty,
that all his works seem to be posthumous, except the ' Paradise of Flora,* which appeared
in the year 1600, when it is probable he was living." See Sir E. Brydges* Censura Literaria,
second edition, v. 104-106. — Eds.
1632.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 475
together, with which they make floores or walles smooth
and gUsteringe, and with all that it is very stronge & bind-
inge. I like well the old English and still Irish buyldinge,
where the roome is large, & the chimney or herth in the
middest ; certainely thereby ill vapour & gnatts are kept out,
lesse firinge will seme the tnme, and men had then more
lusty and able bodies then they haue nowe. I will re-
late vnto you a pretty and plesant jest of a fellowe in Suf-
folke, whoe hauinge a shrewish wife, made as though he
were a wearie of his like [life] ; and went away from her.
It was coniectured by all, that he had made away with him-
selfe, for he could not be foimd nor heard of in almost a
whole wiitcr, and where thinke you this feUowe was all
this while ? He had made him a howse in his woodstack
and buylt it soe artificially with bavins, that it was a farre
better & warmer cabin than Diogines' tubb. It seemes he
had plotted the busines before hand, and had conveyed
there in provision before hand, or else he had some
boy or servant of his councell, whoe conveyed provision
\Tito him, for the waye in was at the topp, and soe artifi-
cially archt ouer and hoUowed vnder, that it was hard for
either wind, frost, snowe, or could to trouble him. Nowe
if one man could make this shift of his owne invention,
surely some amonge you, if they haue neede, may vse of
the like, or some other better, for I heare you haue wood
enough. Methinks the southeme or westeme side of a
hill, might with small charge be made an habitable place
for good people, like the boothes against the Tennis court
at Whitehall, especially if it be a rockie & steepe hill. I
hearinge of a ship redie to set forward for your coast, could
not but jTuparte my minde vnto you conceminge this busi-
nes. Thus with my wonted loue, & louinge salutations to
you and all the rest of my frinds, I rest
Your E. Howes.
20° March 1632.
476 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1632.
My letters by Mr. Dudley & by Mr. Winslowe axe more
large, & the sodaine departure of this ship, euen to morowe,
causeth me thus to break of abruptly. Vcde in Ckristo.
I haue sent you by this ship the oyle of vitrioll, that you
left behind you. It is directed to your father, because of
the more safe conveyance thereof. It is in a little double
voyall, bound vp in 2 or three course papers.
This aftemoone I receiued a letter from John Samford,
wherein I vnderstand there is greate hopes of Jo : Saga-
more, to be civilized and a christian ; I conceiue it were
very good, to bestowe respect and honor vnto such as he
(petty kings) by giuinge them a scarlet coate, I meane a
red coate to weare ; or some other vestment in token of his
place & dignitie ; which other Sachems (of greater com-
mand then he) hearinge & seeinge, may thereby be allured
to loue & respect the English, in hope & expectation of the
like, or in theu'e conceite more glorious clothinge ; and soe
you may thereby discouer further into the land, haue more
frinds and allies, and by the blessinge of God, it may be a
greate meanes of civillizinge the meaner sorte ; and after,
the revealinge Qirist vnto them ; for it is a rule in warre,
to aime to surprise & captiuate greate ones, and the lesse
will soone come vnder, soe winn the hartes of the Sachems
and you win all. The wise man saith ; guifts blinds the
wise, ho we m [tom] more them that are ignorante & simple,
as I thinke all the natiues are [tom]. The more loue &
respect you shewe to the Sagamores & Sachems, the more
loue and feare shall you gaine from the common natiues. I
could wonderfully enlarge my selfe vpon this & the like
subiect, but that tyme & tide tarrieth for noe man. I haue
one thinge more to ymparte, and then I shall conclude.
A receipt of a wholsome & savorie drinke, for such as
are sick, weak, or cannot diinke water. R 5 or 6 gallons,
or quantum placet of water ; put to euery gallon a pinte of
white wyne and a pretty quantitie of potatoe rootes, which
1632.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 477
I suppose you haue good store of; and after 2 or 3 dayes
standingc, drinke out halfe, and fill it vp againe with fresh
water, and the second drinke wilbe better then the first.
Prohat Mr. Thomson.
This drinke Capt. Drake vsed very often to drinke of in
his voyage about the world, and one of the voyage lately
told it to me, with the manner as afforesaid. E. H.
Indorsed, " Ed : Howes Jun : 1632."
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
Charissimo Amico, — Setting asside all vowes and protes-
tations of my continuing amitie, which would seeme but
rather complements then true harted loue, I salute you
with good newes in my mouth ; that God hath not forgott
to be gracious to his church beyond the seas, but hath
heard the sighs and grones of his servants, yea, the blood
of his saints hath cryed loud for vengance ; and wrath since
your departure hath come downe furiously vpon the ene-
mies. I need not instance in particulars, for I doubt not
but the fame thereof is at this day the talke of all the
world ; yet to satisfie you a little fullier then by word of
mouth, & that your worthy father, with all my louinge frinds,
may reead at large the workinge of our God in these latter
dayes, here I haue sent you the Swedish Intelligencer*
which speakes wonder to the world ; withall I haue sent
you your Archymedes and an Almenack, with a booke or
two of other newes besides. Mr. Dudly went away soe
sodainely from vs m the begining of Christmas, that I
could not take my leaue of him as I would. I desire ear-
• 1682. See Winthrop*8 Hist, of N.E., i. 90.— Edb.
478 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1632.
nestly to heare of your healths and welbeing. Thus Mr.
Allerton staying for my letter, I abruptly conclude, with
my loues to all my frinds, I rest
Your louing frind E. Howes.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To the Worship/uU his worthie frinde Mr. John Winthrop the
yonger at the Massachusetts bay, these deliver, in New England,
Most noble Frind, — Can a ship passe from our porte,
& you expect not letters by it, or shall you receiue letters
from others and none from mel Farre be it from me at
any tjine to frustrate your expectations, it being the dutie
of loue, to be alwayes operatmge towards the beloued ; I
neede not name you the North Starre, towards which the
compasse of m}Tie endevours constantly inchnes, for you
partlie knowe it, and the sequell of my life (God sparing
vs both life) shall confirme the truth. Although I was
ample in my last lettre ; giue me leaue to vent the abound-
ance of myne affection in this defectiue character of expres-
sion. True it is, I about a fortnight since writt a letter for
you, but some malignant spirit, knowinge thereof, hath
stolne it from me, as I conceiue, it being not endorsed to
see to whome it was, & what was in it, and now is ashamed
to restore it. Therein was nothinge but common newes,
and therefore I lesse care for the losse. The shipp beinge
thus sudainely departed vpon the end of this Trinity Terme,
I could not relate the particulars of my other letter. In
breife my father, and mother, & sisters remember them to
you, & I would request the fauour of you to present my
humble seruice to your honored father & mother, and
my respectiue loue and due respects to you & your best
beloued, & to Mr. Dudley & his beloued, & to my qoun-
1632.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 479
dam frind jVIres. E., desiring, for shortnes of tyme, to haue
Icaue to be remembred alsoe in particular to my louinge
frind John Samford and his true loue, and to the rest of
my frinds, I rest & remaine
Yours as you knowe E. H.
Caput corui vidi^ Lac Virginis quoque vidi^Jinerti denlque
non ausim videre.
Notltia misterij datur^ potestas tamen operationis non
datur mihi.
There is a tyme ordained for all things, &c. Crede &
habebis.
Indorsed, " Mr. Howes : Reed : Octob : 12 : 1632."
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
London, primo Nouembris, 1632.
Sir, — Yours of the 19 of September I receiued this
euening, and could not let slipp to giue you intelligence of
the receipt, though this be the third by this ship vnto you ;
my loue is soe intire vnto you, that all the tyme I bestowe
for you I thinke too little. I thanke you for your resolucon
conceminge the silke wormes. Mr. Wigens, whome I
thinke you knowe, hath fullie resolued me thereof. As for
your cement, it is a rare and a strainge request, but shall
not be thought impossible, by me to be answered. I haue
here sent a very necessary instrument for great ordnance,
for John Samford, if you please to bestowe a little looking
thereon, you may quickly informe him in the vse thereof. cd-'pSI
The notches shewe the diametre of the bores, W. P. the
weight of the ponder due to euery peice, 1. 1. the lenght of
the ladle, B. Ij. the weight of the bullett, &c. The otner-
side shewes the seuerall names of the ordnance.
480 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1832.
I pray thanke James for his letter of the 18th of Sept.
last, and for his wiuinge instruccions. Thus with my loue
rememhred to you, your wife, sisters, brothers, and all our
fidnds, I committ you to Gods protection, & rest
Tuus dura miuB Edward Howes.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his worthUie respected /rind Mr. John Winthrop, Jmir. at the
MaUachusetts in New England these deliver.
Deare Frind and most noble Sir, — Deare because fewe
the like to me, and truly noble beinge one of the Lords
Worthies. Your letter of July last was much welcome, in
that it brought tidings of your recouer}', and your thriuinge
in the wildernes of New England. I cannot as yet satisfie
your desire, in sending ouer to John Samford as I would,
for you would wonder what discoragements the diuell putts
in most mens mouths against your plantations, some that
you are all cbmminge home, others that you are all gone
or goinge for Virginia : for my parte, I shaU and will by
Gods leaue endeauour to continue towards you & the
worke semper idem. Here in closed you shall find a booke
of the probabilities of the North West passage,* not in the
* The identical copy of the treatise here mentioned is now in the Library of the Mas-
sachusetts Historical Society. It is a small tract of twenty-six pages, with the following
title: *' Op the Circvmfkrenck of the Earth: or, A Treatise of the North-ioeast [the
10 added in manuscript by Howes] passage. Imprinted at London, by W, W, for John
Bartut, 1682.** Above the imprint, on the titlepage, is a cipher, containing the letters of
the name of Edward Howes, in manuscript. The prefatory address is inscribed, in hia
handwriting, —
"To the right noble and worthy, religions and vertuous gent lohn Winthrop the
yonger, all health and felicitie ; " and signed, " Yours, E. Hows." On the back of the title-
page is the following, by the same hand: " Happie, thrice happie should I be, if this little
treatise should add any thinge to your knowledge, invention, or industrie, to the ntcheiuinge
of that Herculean worke of the straits of New England, which I am as verilie perswaded of,
that there is either a strait, as our narrow seas, or a Mediterranean sea, west from you.
1632.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 481
60 or 70 degree of North latitude, but rather about the 40th.
I sore suspect the Hollanders will haue the glory and beni-
fitt of the passage about Hudson's River, yet God, the Au-
thor and Finisher of all good works, will (I bclieue) that all
shalbe for the good of his saints. I heare the French haue
this summer transported a company of preists and Jesuits
and such vermine to Canada ; but how longe they will staye
there, it is a question. I conceiue the land to cold for
theire hott natures.
The vemish for clothes, to keepe out wett, I cannot yet
leame, but as soone as I can, the next shipp after shall
aquaint you with it. As for my vsuall characters, they are
that wherewith I conceiue you haue bin formerly acquainted,
vizt. Mr. Arkisdens, whoe hath sent you a letter here in-
closed in John Samfords. I though[t] good to send you his
character, for feare you should haue forgotten it, as thus
A a b cdefghhiklmnopqrr
-- I c>*7^bp•^u^-ooq^L
I'stuwxyz
They are approued of in Cambridge to be the best as yet in-
vented ; and they are not yet printed nor comon. You may
abreuiate them thus, c. for Christ, q God, • Jesus, n king,
U lord, 0 people, &c. / stands alwayes for the, /• for thee,
5 for w. or wh. A little vse will make perfectnes ; send
me word whether you like it, and I will send you more
direccions.
The Dutchf 0 the Datch, I donbt win prevent your disoonerie, for they are the nearest, of
any that haue not as yet disconered it. Bat doabtlesse there is a man, (or shalbe) sett
aparte for the disconerie thereof, thereby to comanicate more fireely, more knowingly, and
with lesse charge, the riches of the east with the pleasures of the west, and that the east
& west, meetinge with mutual] imbracements, they shall soe lone each other, thaf they
shalbe willinge to be disolued into each other; and soe God being manifested in Christ
through all the world, and light shininge in thickest darknesse, and that palpable darknesse
being expelled, how great & glorious shall that light appeare. Which God of his mercy
hasten to accomplish.'* — Eds.
61
482 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1632.
I thanke you Sir, for remembringe soe faxre of when Mr.
Saltonstall was with you ; by your mcanes, and good words
of me to him, I haue obtained a most singular sweete frind
of him. Euer since Michelmas last, haue I had inward
famiharitie with him ; he perswadinge me it was your desire
that I should imparte my sclfe vnto him, on your behalf e,
& for the good of Xew England. I had enlarged myselfe,
but that my master called me to write vnto you for him ;
wherein you shall heare most of our latest newes ; I praye
you remember my humble seruice vnto your noble father,
my most honored frind, and his right vertuous wife, and
thanke him for that he hath bin pleased to regard the good
will of his poore seruant, in sending him a letter of enco-
ragement, which was more welcome to me then any guift
besides. Remember my loueing salutations to your sister
Feakes * and her husband, though vnknowne ; thanke her
for her lettre, and tell her that I went with hir brother in
law to Mr. Kirbys, and procurde, in my master his absence,
the monie vpon the bill of exchainge. Remember me alsoe
to your brother Dudley and his louinge wife, and all others
to whome you please to recomend my loue. Thus, though
in the last place, yet not in the least place, my harty loue
and affections to you and your best beloued remembred,
with dayUe prayers for your healths and prosperities, I rest
Tuus ex animo et adyto Edward Howes.
Ffrom the Inner Temple, this luiiith of ixber, 1632.
I haue bespoken instruments for John Samford, but
could not gett them made redie against this shipps depart-
ure ; he shall haue them, the next springe (God willinge)
perhaps I may bring them my selfe ; but noe more of that,
I meane to come vnlookt for, but not, I hope, before I shalbe
welcome. The terme is nowe in the full heate thereof, and
* Mrs. Elizabeth Feakes was sister to John Winthrop, Jr.*s first wife, Martha, daughter
of Thomas Fones. — Eds.
1632.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 483
therefore I hope you will excuse such defects you find in
this expression of my loue, and soe I leaue you to God.
A little more here I send conceminge Dr. Fludd, written
in greate haste.
Scale up James Downing[8] lettre and giue it him.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
Worthy Sir, — Here I haue sent you a taste of the
famous and farre renouned English man of our tymes, Dr.
Fludd, whoe as you may remember published a booke in
defence of the weapon salue, before you went oner, but
that is nothinge in comparison of these here menconed,
which are all foUo bookes, and full of brasse peices, the
like I neuer sawe, for engines, fortificacions, and a touch of
all opperatiue workes, as you may conceiue by the titles :
yet let me tell you this, that the titles, nor my penn, is not
able to expresse what is in those bookes, as they are, noe
more then you in a map of a sheete of paper, can exactly
describe the riuers, creeks, hills, dales, fruite, beasts, fishes
and all other things of your contrie ; for I thinke it almost
imposible for man to add vnto his macrocosme and micro-
cosme, except it be illustration or comment, and that hardly
too ; his bookes are so bought vp beyond sea, we can gett
none brought oner. Fetherston, the Latine warehowse, nor
all London, could, within this moneth, shewe these all to-
gether to be sould. I layd out all this last longe vacation
for them at Hills in Little Brittaine ; who laid out for them
for me, and brought them me home compleat, as here you
see the titles, which I could with all my harte wish the
bookes themselues were in your hands, as certaine as any
thing you haue.
I had no we sent you a catalogue of the marte bookes,
but that I would not take any mans busines out of his
484 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1632.
hands. The iiiiZi. xiis. I had deUuered to Mr. Kirby ere
no we, but that he said he had none vse of it vntill the
springe ; he called to me for it about a weeke since, when
I not dowbting it, had lent it out, but I gaue him then xx«.
and haue since receiued xxZi, out of which I intend to pay
the remainder, as soone as I can goe to him, or see him.
I had though[t] there with (by your leaue) to haue pur-
chased Dr. Fludds works for you, for I doubt within this
xii month they will hardly be gotten for xli. Vale in
Ckristo. Your assured faithfull frind in life till death,
Edward Howes .
The zxiiiith of Nouember, 1632.
Printed at Opera R : FluddL Medicince Dris.
Fmnckfurt. ^ . .
Ytriosqoe Cosmi maioris silicet et minoris Metaphisica Phisi-
ca atque Technica, in duo volumina, secundum Cosmi dif-
ferentiam diuisa.
Tomus primus,
De Macrocosm! Historia in duos Tractatus diuisa. R : F.
1, Macrocosmi.
Tomus primus de Macrocosmi Historia, in duos tractatus.
1. Tractatus primus habet xiii libr.
2. Tractatus sccundus de naturae simia seu Technica Macro-
cosmi Historia in partes xi diuisa.
2. UrUcrocosmu
Tomus secundus de supernaturali, preter naturali, et contra
naturali, Microcosm! Historia in Tractatus tres distri-
buta. Authore R: F.
Tomi secuudi tractatus primi,
Sectio secunda de Technica, Microcosmi Historia, in por-
tiones vii diuisa.
Tomi secundi, Tractatus secundus, de prsetematurali vtrius-
que Mundi Historia, in iii sectiones. R. F.
Ao. 1619.
Ao. 1628.
Ao. 1619.
Ao. 1621.
Ao. 1628.
(
Anatomia; Amphitheatrum effigiae Triplici more et condi-
tione varia disignatum.
/ Monochordum Mundi Symphoniacum, seu replieatio ad
Appollogiam Johannis Kepleri.
1632.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 485
Ao. 1626.
Ao. 1629.
\
^ Philosophia Sacra et vere Christiana, sea Meteorologia Cos-
mica.
Medicina Catholica sea Misticum Artis Medicandi Sacra-
rium in Tomos diaisam duos.
Sophise com moria certamen, in quo, lapis Ljdius a falso
structore Fr : Marino Mersenno, monacho, reprobatus, &c.
Ro : Flud.
Magiae
Cabalas V verse
liffi J
Sumum bonum, quod est ... , . - .
Ao. 1629. \ Alchymiae y } subjectum.
verum i -ns / -n
Fratrum Kosese
per Joach : Frisium. \ crucis verorum
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his most respected and worthy ff rind Mr. John Winthrop Junr
at the MattachuseitSf these deliver in New England.
Sir, — I though[t] good not to lett passe the aquaintinge
you with any thinge that might conceme you or the plan-
tation, though I be neuer soe straightned in tyme. This
day, bemg the 27th of Nouember, and the last but one of
the terme, I coming home at noone met 4 men there, that
came as they said from Capt. Masons and the Bristoll plan-
tation. I askt them what newes ; Lambert, as I take it his
name is, master of the ship, said your father & you and all
were well when he left you, but he going vp to deUuer a
letter to my master from your father, as I conceiue, I fell
into discourse with one of the other, a most egregious
knaue, whoe would giue none of you a good word, but the
gouemor ; he was a good man & kept a good table, but al
the rest were Heriticks, & they would be more holy then
all the world ; they would be a peculiar people to God, but
goe to the diuell ; that one man with you being at confes-
sion, as he called it, said he beleiued his father & mother &
486 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1632.
anntestors went all to hell, and that your preachers, in theire
pubUque prayers, pray for the gouemor before they praye
for our kmge and state, and that one of the Pascataweyans
vowed that if he should heare your minister saye soe, he
would stabbe him in the place where he spake it ; and that
you should haue all your throats cutt by the Indians ere it
be longe, for they haue killed some rebbells, and would
make an end of the rest, for that you are a people not wor-
thie to hue one Gods earth ; that you neuer vse the Lords
prayer ; that your ministers marrie none ; that fellowes
which keepe hogges all the weeke, preach on the Saboth ;
that euery towne in your plantation is of a seuerall religion ;
that you coimt all men in England, yea all out of your
church, and in the state of damnacion ; but I beleiue and
knowe better things of you ; but here by you may partly
see ho we the diucU stirrs vp his instruments. Where his
kingdome is soe mightily opposed he setts vpon you wilth
all [h]is might & maine, and would haue you to be Uke him-
selfe, but he that is with you, is greater then he that is
against you. Accept this as the token of my goodwill,
though I am sorrie to expresse it in these vile and diuelish
repetitions ; it is to make you the more vigilant and circum-
spect.
The Kinge of Sueden I heare is slayne : * my other
newes you shall haue at large in a letter dated the xxiiith
of this moneth. I haue dehuered all your monie to Mr.
Kirby. Thus in great hast, being the last daye of the
terme, I rest
Yours as I haue bin Edwa : Howes.
xxviiith IXBER M.DC.XXXn.
Salute all my frinds againe. Vale optima salute.
* Gustavus Adolphns, King of Sweden, was killed at the battle of Lutzen, 6 Nov.,
1632. — Eoa.
1633.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 487
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To the Worship/uU his most esteemed /rind Mr. John Winthrop
Junr. aJt Boston in New England present these.
Charissime', — The intire respects I euer bare towards
you constrayneth me to take all occasions to vent my loue ;
and more nowe then euer ; when as you are become not
only a branch in the viniard ; but euen a cheife piller to
the new Syon ; vphold, oh vphold, helpe with coimcell and
seasonable advice to reare the walles ; it is noe shame for
Israelites to fight with one hand, and buyld with the other ;
but if I should write a volimie to this purpose, it were but
water cast into the sea of your aboimdant abihties. I write
only to manifest my good will, but not to teach ; you haue
knowne me, and doe knowe me, a man subiect to infirmi-
ties; couer therefore all my disrespects of you with the
vaile of your loue ; and account of me accordinge to my
poore abilities Yours, E. H.
A Templo, Quinto Junij 1633.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his highly esteemed ff rind Mr. John Winthrop, Junr, at Boston
present thelse], in New England.
SALUS IN CHRISTO DOMINO.
Sir, — Although I haue written vnto you alredie by this
shipp, per IVIr. Atherton Haugh, and hauinge soe largely
exprest my loue to you per your cosen Mary Downinge, yet
I could not chuse but as it were seeke newe matter of loue
and respect. You shall receiue here inclosed a lettre from
Mr. Kirbie, and in a bimdle of clothes for your cosen Mary,
marked with M : D. yOu shall find from him a cattalogue of
488 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1633.
the last marte bookes ; and from your poore frind an exact
and large and the latest discouery of the North West pas-
sage, made by a pamfidl and industrious gent., Capt. James,*
as a remembrance of my obliged loue. I writt to you by
the last shipps, of your vncles remouinge his dwellinge into
the Strand, or the Co vent Gardein ; he hath (and my Mrs.)
bin very hott vpon the remoue lately, but I haue in parte,
if not altogether, altred theire purpose, and advised them
not to remoue, vntill it be to plant themselues in New Eng-
land, which I hope wilbe next springe. My master hath
caused me to put off my chamber in Cliffords Inn againe ;
and would haue me take his partners parte in the Temple f
but whie should ^ trouble you with these impertinances,
only that you may knowe where to send to me, if my master
should remoue to you, but before that tyme I hope to see
you here. Tis certaine your vncle Gostlyn and aunt will
goe ouer with theire family in the springe ; and if you come
this winter to vs, its very likely you may perswade your
Aimt Dow[ning] to goe with them ; for your vncle D. he
could wish himselfe there nowe ; he is neuer better nor
merrier then when he is talkinge of New England. Your
lOOZi with your vncle Paynter were worth the comming far,
and your promise of comminge ouer were worth the per-
formance, it may be you may prevaile that I may goe mth
you. There is not a question but if the Lorde sees good to
send you to vs, he will aboimdantly content your paines ; I
haue heard of 200Zi which was giuen to your mother, which
is in the hands of your vncle Tindall, thats worth the fetch-
inge too ; I question not the safety of it, but I conceiue it
were better to be ymployed in New England then in Old ;
and I heare of some lands bought in Suffolke almost a
* " The Strange and Dangerous Voyage of Captain Thomas James, in his intended dis-
covery of the North West passage into the Soath Sea,*' &c. London, 1633. — Eds.
t We are to buyld them new this sommer. My master said lately he had rather be
bnylding at Boston in New England. — Howes.
1633.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 489
ycare since,* but I haue not heard your vncle DoT\Tiing
speake of any rent he hath as yet receiued ; perchance you
may dceme me too bold, to medle with that I haue nothinge
to doe with ; but I conceiue you my frind to be (Alter idetn)
and what concemes you concemes me, either to pertake of
your joye or sorrowe. There is a pretty youth, brother to
Sarah, your sister Feaks maide, that hath much desired
to spend his dayes in New England. He is a pretty good
clarke, and as I heare hath lined a yeare or two with a
Common law Attorney ; this youth (his name is John Sand-
brooke) my master thought good to preferre him to your My muter
told hioi ■M'
worthie father, to whome he is boimd for five yeares ; my J^'^jISJJ^J
mistress was intreated by his father (who hath noe other SS'^'SliSII
Sonne but he) to write to your father about him ; and I heftiiiywSi-
Muted Tnto.
speakinge of writing to you, he intreated me to procure
you to take a little notice of him, and encorage him in
goodnes. I neede not advise you to take a man or boye,
for I knowe you are able enough to knowe what is best for
your selfe ; and for ought I knowe you may haue diuerse
Indian boyes, which are, or may be in tyme, necessary ser-
uants. Before I end, I must not forgett to put you in
mindc of one that is cominge to you, whoe hath deserued
exceedingly of your father & the plantation, many wayes ;
he discouered (under God) our enemies plotts, and hclpt to
prevent them ; he hath also dispossest our enemies of their
hope, Pascataqua, and intends to plant him selfe and many
gracious men there this sonuner. Noe doubt but this may
be and wilbe by diuerse in this shipp reported to you ; but
out of the mouth of diuerse witnesses the truth is confirmed.
I haue, and you all haue cause to blesse God that you haue
soe good a neighbour as Capt. Wiggen. I could spend my
dayes in shewing my respects to you. Mr. Arkisden
is very well, and hath bin steward of his colledge ; and is
nowe in the very acte of commencing Master. Mr. Sdton-
* I haue heard my master say he neuer saw the oonTeyance. — Howes.
62
490 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1633.
stall & Mrs. Meriall Gurdon are to be married next weeke,
here in towne, et signum perderit pudicitice fertur in domus
thalamo nostri ; flPor my parte I am as farre from marrying
as euer I was ; yet I should be loath to goe to New England
without one. Thus with my humble sendee to your noble
father and good mother, and my due and respectiue loue to
your louing wife and your selfe ; and my salutes to your
sister Feaks, and sister Dudley, and theire husbands ; and
to my louinge frind IVIr. Samford and his wife : remember
me alsoe to your cosen Ma: Dow[ning] and Susan and
James ; not forgetting your brothers, and all the rest of my
louinge frinds. With most hartie wishes and prayers for
all your healths and prosperities, and grace & fauour with
the Lorde Christ, to whose guidance & keeping I committ
you & rest Yours as you knowe E. Howes.
Inneb Temple, the 22th of June, 1633.
The harts of all Gods people here are all bent towards
your Syon ; and from all parts of the land they are goinge
vp by flocks to New Salem Jerusalem to worship : helpe
me to you with your prayers ; or, if the Lorde see good,
that I may to his glorie suffer here.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To the vxyrshipfuE his assured frind John Winthrop, esq. Junr.
at Boston in the MaUachusets Baye, present these, in New
England,
Sir, — This is the fifth or sixth lettre to you since I re-
ceived any from you, the post it may be hath lost your
packctt. I hope you will not say I haue bin a niggard of
my paper and paines, if they all come safe (as I wish they
may) to your hands, and as it is said nulla dies sine linea^
soe I may say nullum tempus si7ie occasioned theres noe t}^me
1633.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 491
but it offers occasion of loue and seruice towards you. I
was requested by Mr. Sandbrooke (ifrhose only sonne he
hath sent as seruant to my noble frind your worthy father)
to write to you to showe some fauour to the ladd ; as alsoe
that Mi. Gouemour will be pleased to consider that he is
sent to him, with all or most necessaries, as alsoe his pas-
sage paid for by his father. I told Mr. Sandbrooke that he
need not doubt but it would be taken notice of, and re-
membred when his sonne comes out of his tyme. It much
reioyces our harts here that the Lord sends forth such store
of labourers into his viniard ; they flock to you euen from
Dan to Bersheba ; from Plymouth to Barwick.
Sir Hugh Platts engine that you and I haue bin often
hammeringe about, to boyle in wooden vessells, is now come
to light, and I hope wilbe with you as soone as this letter :
my master hath bin at the cost of making one, and wee
tryed it in our parlor ; it will doe verie well, but it being in
its infancie, had need of such mature Mathematitians as
your sclfe to bringe it to perfect proportion & strength ;
now you haue the hint and waye of it, facile est addere.
You shall alsoe receiue iii this shipp 3 woolfe doggs & a
bitch, with an Irish boy to tend them ; for the doggs, my
master hath writt sufficiently, but for the boye thus much.
You haue bin in Ireland, knowe partlie the Irish con-
dition ; this is a verie tractable fellowe, and yet of a bardie
and stout corage ; I am perswaded he is very honest, es-
pecially he makes great conscience of his promise and vowe.
I coidd wish (for as much as I haue scene by him) you
would take him to be your seruant, although he be boimd
to your father for flue yeares. At his first comminge ouer
he would not goe to church, nor come to prayers ; but first
wc gatt him vp to prayers, & then on the Lord's day to cata-
chise, and afterwards very willingly he hath bin at church
4 or 5 tymes. He as yet makes conscience of fridayes fast
from flesh ; and doth not loue to heare the Romish reUgion ^'^"^
spoken against, but I hope with Gods grace he will become
a good convert.
492 THE WraXHROP PAFEBS. [1633-
Sir, I dare boldlie saye it is as much honor for you to
winn this fellowes soide, out [of] the subtillest snare* of
Sathan, as to winn an Indians soule out of the Diuells
clawes. Pardon my zealous boldnes, for I doubt not but
you shall cnioye abundantly the sweete fruits of your
labours this waye. As for his fittnesse to be a member of
your church ; its well if the Lord worke it in 3 or 4 yeare,
yet he can doe it sooner if he please. The fellow can
reede and write reasonable well, which is somwhat rare for
one of his condition ; & makes me hope the more of him.
Conceminge the vemish for clothes & the ceament for
earthen vessells ; I conceiue the vemish nowe in vse is not
that which Sir H : Piatt spcakes of, or if it be, it is very
little or not at all vsed here in towne, in rany wether or in
whiter, which makes me doubt of the de\ice. As for the
cement, I am told by the most profound artist and natural-
ist here in this cittie, that he can make such a cement out
of an animall, but he would not teach it at any rate, and if
he should make any, it would be deare, soe that I doubt
(if all be true as he sayes) the cure wilbe worse then the
disease ; it would not quitt cost to make it, if we knew it.
This Dr., for a Dr. he is, braggs that if he haue but the
hint or notice of any vsefull thinge not yet invented, he
will vndertake to find it out, except some few, which
he hath vowed not to medle with, as Vitrum maliabile^ per-
pet motus^ via proxlma ad Indos^ & Lapis philosi : all or
any thinge else he will vndertake, but for his priuate gaine,
to make a monopolie thereof, and to sell the vse or know-
ledge thereof at too high rates.
As for other newes we haue Utile, Mr. Davenport hath
left London ; and its said IVIr. Nye will follow him ; some
say they bend theire thoughts towards your Plantation : I
know not how soonc or how longe it wilbe ere I shall see
you. I doe longe to see New England, but the Lord sees
Romes pollitick Religion. — Howes.
1633.1 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 493
that I am vnworthie and vnfitt to come amonge you as yet,
otherwise then in some few scrawles of paper. Remember
vs as we doe you in our prayers, and present my humble
scruice to Mr. Gouemor and your good mother. Present
my loue and respects to your selfe & your second selfe, to-
gether with all our good frinds with you, whome God pre-
serue, & so I take leaue and rest
Yours as he would be or should be
Edward Howes.
QuiNTO Aug J: hora 12* noctis, 1633.
Sir, I am willed per my master to acquaint you that Mr.
Scwall had deUuered to his vse in New England, one of my
master his cowes, for which he was to pay ISZi, whereof
my master cannot gett a penny, therefore he desires that
notice might be taken, that Mr. Sewall hath a cowe of his
vnpaid for, which he desires may be restored againc, if Mr.
Sewall will not haue her ; but herein let there be nothinge
done, vntill Mr. Gouemour heares from my master.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his very goodftind Mr. John Winthrope the yonger at Boston,
present these [in] New England.
Sir, — Not to enlarge your title with an Epitaph, for all
the deseruinge adiuncts that possiblie I could devise were
little enough to expresse your deserts and to manifest my
loue. Although I haue by this shipp sent you a lettre
dated a weeke since, wherein I made mention of the instru-
ment that Sir H : Piatt writes of, to brue with all ; whose
words were, that by the helpe of it one myght brue in
wodden vessells, & alsoe as you may remember, if the ele-
ment of water had not more power ouer the vessell of wood,
then the fyre, one vessell might last 100 yeares ; which in-
494 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1633.
strument my master caused to be (whose right name is a
furnace) and sent to your father ; but being the first, the
workeman could not hitt right, wherefore another was
since made, and being brought home Sir R: Saltonstall
would needs buye it. I conceiue tis farr stronger & better
wrought then the first; but .what benifitt will these fur-
naces be to the Plantation, seing you haue aboundance of
wood 1 We conceiue and hope the best, & leaue it to your
try all.
The dogg in a wheele that my master writt off", to tume
another wheele, and soe to cause the bellowes to blowe, I
cannot well fancie ; because the fire needs not a constant
blowinge, but a blowinge by fitts, as in black smyths and
gold[8]myth workes ; sometymes faster, sometymes slower,
which a dogg will not, nor can not doe ; nowe my master
calls me to write to you for him about the same matter.
Yet I haue one thinge more to write to you of, and that is
you wilbe pleased to expresse your approued loue to me,
soe much as to husband for me ten or 20/i in the layeing
out vpon cow calues of a yeare old or older ; and putt them
out to some honest man whome you thinke fitt, to keepe
to halues or otherwise as you thinke best : if you please to
advise yourselfe to laye out more for my benifitt, vpon
notice thereof from you I shall very thankefuUy repaye it,
either in monie, goods, or seruants, or what you will ; for
I see I shall be driuen to come to you sooner then I made
account of; and I desire to haue some stock there, though
it be but a small one, tis better then none at all. Mr. Robert
Saltonstall hath giuen me one of his breeding rabitts, a
black one with a white streake downe the nose, which he
with others nowe sends ouer : * if it dye I am to haue
another, and he hath promised to write to his brother
Samuell to sett the breede of that or one other apparte for
me ; I refused this kindnes vntill his importance forced it
* Ho made me paye for store of foode for the rabitt in her pauage. — Howes.
1634.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 495
on me. He hath alsoe vpon some considerations promised
me a sowe pigge, and the keepinge of her and her increase
from hence for 3 yeares, by which tyme I hope to come
ouer ; if I can gett of Sir Robert a kidd or a calfe, I shall
thinke my selfe reasonablie well rewarded of him for my
paines. As for a house for me, I hope I shall with you or
]VIr. Sandford find a wadd of strawe to lye on vntill I may
buye or buyld a howse ; I heare from you noe comenda-
tions of a tent, which I conceiue to be a necessary thinge
with you. A man may buye one here for about ten pounds,
and the fraight to you wilbe but small. I hope you haue
longe since heard that I paid Mr. Kirbie the 4/f 12^. I had
of Mr. Gurdon for your law bookes.
Thus desiringe you to thinke vpon your poore frinde, in
what maye be for his good, whoe prayes daylie for your
health and prosperitie, and desires to present his seruice
to your good wife and yoiu: selfe, and sister Ffeakes and
sister Dudley with theire husbands, and to remaine
Yours euer to commando Edward Howes.
Peterborouoh Courte in Ffleete streete, the 13 of August, 1633.
Nowe I thinke we shall not rcmoue from hence vntill it
be to you, which God speede.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To my very good frind Mr. John Winthrop at Agawomj these
present, in New England.
Worthy Frind, — Yours of June, August, and Septem-
ber I haue receiued since my last to you, as' alsoe the otter
skinn you sent me ; for which, as for your many other reall
fauours, I most hartily thanke you. According to your
direction I haue receiued 555 2d. of Mr. Kirby, which I
haue laid out for you, as may appeare by this inclosed.
496 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1634,
For Dr. Fludd's workes, there is since more come forth of
him, as by the back of my accompt. I haue sent you only
a taste of him, in two vohimes ; I conceiue they are well
drest for your pallate. I haue bin held in hand at Mr.
Fetherston's shop by his men, euer since 8ber, to be fur-
nished with all those bookes you writt for, and now am
forced to buy them where I can find them ; I can gett noe
others but what I haue sent you vntill next marte.
As for your quodling slipps, I hope against Michaelmas
next I shall haue some to send you, for now tis noe send-
ing them. I haue made bold to putt a few other bookes
to fill vp spare roome in the box ; whereof one is the
Contrie farme, which I suppose you haue alreadie, if you
haue, be please[d] then to let Mr. Samford haue myne, or
whome else you please. If you haue it not, be pleased to
accept it as a pledge of my constant loue and respects
to you. Thus much concerninge your box of bookes
which you shall receiue of Mr. Dillingham directed to you
and marked with ^. You shall haue me more large in my
next, either by Mr. Humfries or before ; in the meane
tyme be pleased to present my respect to your best beloued
& to yourselfe, and euer comand
Your true though poore frind Edward Howes.
29* Mabtij, 1634.
From our new howse in Lincolne's Inn feilds by the Lyon
Tauerne neere Princes streete.
Sir, A very good frind of myne. Sir Symon Harcourts
brother, desired me to convey this inclosed to his frind, by
some trusty hand ; I pray let me make bold that at best
leasure, by one of your seruants or otherwise, it may be
deliuered to Mr. Coggeshall.
I haue not had leasure to visit Mrs. Waterhowse as yet,
at Easter next, if not sooner, I intend to present your re-
spect vnto her. Vale in Xto.
1634.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 497
J[TIie following paper is enclosed in the preceding letter.]
Rec. of Mr. Kirby 55^. 2d.
The bookes I haue sent you, March, 1634.
2 Catalogues of printed bookes.
It. «. d.
Dr. Fludds Macrocosme in 2 volumes 1 10 0
Isagoge Phisico Magico &c 0 16
Petrus Galatinus de Arcanis Catholicae veritatis . 0 10 0
Phillippi Grulingij Florilegium 0 2 0
These are parte of them you writt for.
I haue here alsoe sent you a few others, which if you
like not, I pray send them againe, or any of them.
•
Mercurius Rediuiuus per Norton 0 2 6
The Rarities of CochinChina ♦ 0 10
Wingates Logarithmes 046
An English Grammer 010
The Gunners Dialogue 020
Bedwells Messolabium 010
The box to put them in 0 0 10
Carrying them to the warehowse 0 0 8
2l7~~0
The rest I cast in to the bargaine, for you and your
fancie to make merry withall.
29* Martij, 1634.
Inte<n'um Morborum Misterium siae Medicinaa CatholicaQ Tomi Primi
o
tractatus secundus, in sectiones distributus duas. Quorum Prior gcncr-
allem morborum natura, &e. Vltima, Vniuersale medicorum sine
a?grotorum dcpingit Catoptron : &c. Francofurti A? 1631. Authore
Ho : Find, alias de Fluctibus.
This is a new Booke and is now betweene 20 and 30^.
price. Dr. Fludd is of farr more esteeme beyond sea then
at home.
• A copy of this work, " Cochin-China, contnining many admirable Rarities and Sin-
gularities of that Countrey," from the Italian of Barri, by Robert Ashley, London, 1633, is
in the Library of the Massuchasetts Historical Society; upon the titlepage of which the
name of " K. Howes** can be distinguished, although nearly erased. — Ens.
63
498 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1634.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his much esteemed frind John Winthrcp esquire ai Agawom
present [tom]
Waobretahoy Stitea Agawom Sagamore,
Aus Neost flourigreathinnog obuor whoinatreid meag-
niedra olfa wortmthienag.* Giue me leaue, in plaine Eng-
lish, the second tyme this springe to present my vnfeigned
respects to you in a few lynes. I sent you per Mr. Dilling-
ham soe many of the bromoiklets f you writt for, as I could
procure for the present, but I am promised the rest this
sommer, and then by the next foUowinge they shalbe con-
veyed to you. The noelwo frudrinnamcle I writt to you
of is mourcah ilmaportouvoend, wiheeproeloaf I haue
speinato yaoduir tohie frogrimoe haetrie ionacoltoisteud.:^
I haue learnt two devices to kill wolues, one is with peices
of spunge laid couertly in such flesh or garbage they feed
on ; the other is certaine peices of stronge wyer twisted
together, ether 4, or 3, or 2 peices, and the ends to be
? bowed and fyled sharpe, and beards cutt in them like fish
i hookes ; and them put within theire meate.
There is one alsoe here in towne that makes very good
Shanlota prestheir waidtoh Vortimnoe agnud cloimnoan
Ebafretah.§ I am verie much abashed that I haue not all
this while procured you the salue and plasters you writt
for, you partlie knowe my nature. I had rather effect any
busines with ten men, then one woman, yet your intrest in
me might be sufficiently effectuall to mannage a farre
more weighty busines ; and assure your selfe, I will ere
* " Worthy Sir Agawom Sagamore, As not forgeting our wonted maner of writing.'*
See note on p. 469. — Eds.
t "Bookes." — Eds.
X *' The new Aimaoe I writt to you of is mach improved, whereof I haue sent yoa the
forme here inclosed." — Eds.
^ '* Salt peter with Vrine and comon Earth." —Eds.
1635.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 499
longe comaund my selfe in that perticular. As for the
Quodling apple slipps, I spake to Mr. Humfries once or
twice about it, and he sayd he would see for some. I
hope he will bring some ouer with him, and yet I doubt it,
because it is soe forward in the yeare. Thus with the
continuance of my respects, loue and seruice to you and
your best beloued, I take leaue and rest
Yours as God shall enable me Edward Howes.
From our new bowse in Lincolnes Inn feilds, neere Princes Streete,
the 18th of Aprill, 1634.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To my much honored /rind Mr. John Wirdhrope at Ijpsunch pre-
sent these, in New England.
My most deare Frind, — In hope & confidence of your
safe ariuall, together with your best beloued, whome I
salute as your selfe ; I knowe^ you expect a lettre, though
I haue but small matter to write of, I dare not frustrate
your expectations. I haue bin 2 or 3 tymes since with the
Dr., and can gett but small satisfaccion about your queries.
I doubt he hath some preiudicate conceipt of one of vs, or
both; yet I must confesse he seemed verie free to me,
only in the maine he was misticall. This he said, that
when the will of God is you shall knowe what you desire,
it will come with such a light, that it will make a harmonie
amonge all your authors, causing them sweetly to agree,
and putt you for euer after out of doubt & question. To
disceme ^efratres sciential I cannot as yet leame of him.
I am very shortlie to take my jomey, soe that I must here
breake of, hauing other occasions, & noe matter of impor-
tance to acquaint you with all, I rest
Yours as you knowe E. H.
21* Aug. 1635.
500 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
I thinke I shall helpe you to one of the magneticall
engines which you & I haue discoursed of, that will sym-
pathize at a distance.*
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WLXTHROP, JR.
London 2V Junij 1636.
FiDELis Amicus, — Since I receiue[d] yours of the 9th of
Nouember and the 6th of January, I saluted you with a
few lines, but in regard of theire farre jomey, & the dain-
ger of miscariage in the passage, my loue to you constraines
me to acquaint you with some generall & particuler
affaires, namely that the plague, sword, & famine looks
with a gashly aspect vpon Germany & other our neighbour
nations, and begins to peepe vpon vs soe frightfully, that
mens harts faile them for feare, and many lOOOds runne
they know not whither. Tis reported that about 57,000
people haue left this citty & suburbs, within this 3
moneths. I thanke my God he hath taught me to tume
G«:8. to him, & not to hide my selfe, or runne from him. I
haue resolued to trye it out here. The Dr. I haue not
scene since last Sommer ; I doubt all is not gold that glist-
ers like it, and he that would leame to distinguish, may pay
too deare for his knowledge. I thinke there is not any
thinge that the Dr. hath or knoweth, but a frind of myne
neerer home enioyes as much ; I could wish you with him,
or he with you, for a moneth or two ; but seing the Diuine
Prouidence hath disposed it otherwayes, I hartilie desire
you to be fully content with your allowance, and thanke
God ; whether you haue more or lesse, let it be all one to
you ; let not what God doth, trouble you ; but what you
doe contrarie to God ; I pray present ray best respects to
your father & raother, & to Mr. Hurafries, when you see
• This would almofet seem like a foreshadowing of the inaguetic telegraph. —Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 601
them, and to your dearest, & your selfe, &c., praying for
the prosperitie of the whole Church of God amonge you,
I take leaue, & rest Yours assured Ed: Ho:
EDWARD HOAVES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To my verie louinge frinde Mr. John Winthrop Hie yonger iJieae
present cU Conectecut, with trusty in New England.
Mi Charissime, — Yours of the 9th of Nouembcr, and
of the 6th of January last I haue receiued, and hatie since
sent you two lettres, which I hope will kisse your hands
before this. The raanie obligations where with you haue
tyed me to you being soe pleasant & delightfull, doe con-
straine me to sue, to be more fast tyed. I cannot discouer
into terram incognitam^ but I haue had a kenn of it shewed
vnto me. The way to it is (for the most parte) horrible &
fearefuU, the daingers none worse, to them that are not
destinati filij ; somtymes I am trauelling that way, but the
Lord knowes when I shall gett thither, soe many flattering
foes are still in the way to preuent me, and diuerte my
course. I thinke I haue spoken with some that haue bin
there. I am informed that the land lyeth where the sunn
riseth, and extendeth it selfe southward, the northerne
people doe account it noe better then a wildemes ; and the
spies that they haue sent out to discouer & view it, haue
reported as much : for they knew it was in vaine to reporte
better of it.* Deare frind, I desire with all my harte that
I might write plainer to you, but in discouering the mis-
terie I may diminish its maiestie, & giue occasion to the
prophane to abuse it, if it should fall into vnworthie hands :
in many things you haue sympathized with me, and whie
* Four Hues obliterated here. — Eds.
502 THE WINTHBOP PAPERS. [1636.
not in this ? After the hint of a thing, facilius est addere.
Let me make a Quere. Was the bodie made for the soule,
or the soule for the bodie? Was the house made for
man, or man for the house ? Doe or did the true loners of
wisdome, studie more for the bodie, then the soule ] Did
they not know the man ? ♦ The [bodjie is but our seruant,
& shall our studies for it take vp our endeuours as for [tom']
Is it not spirituall fornication & adulterie to cast the eye
of our mind & harte vpon sensualitie, or any sensible good,
as to lust after it ? Must not the fine kings be vanquisht
& hung vp, before Israeli can enter into the rest of the
Lord ? which rest I wish vnto you, & rest
Yours Ed: Ho.
4* Aug : 1636.
I pray let me not be forgotten of any frind, whome you
thinke worthie to be put in minde of me ; but salute them
in my name as if I had named them vnto you.
I haue not seene Dr. E : since last sommer : our frinds
at the old house are all well, & are nowe either at Graves
or Groton ; your aunt D : hath bespoken a black marble
grauestone for your grandsire & grandmother. There
dyed in & about London of the plague this weeke 18 L
There is great mortallpty] in our land in diuerse places, &
in other places beyond the seas, and in Germanie there is
a great famine. Prince Thomas, the King of Spaines bro-
ther, hath ouer runn all Pykardy, and burnt 100 villages
in 4 howers. He threatens that his next attempt shalbe
vpon Paris it selfe. The commons of France begin to
mutinie against the gentrie, & the Spaniard where he
comes doth reape the Frenches come for them, & they
themselues in some places haue burnt theire standing
corne, rather then the Spaniard should haue it My hartie
affections salute you & your best beloued. Vale Xto.
* A line erased here. — Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. * 503
3? Sept. 1636.
This lettre hauing lyene written a moneth in my hands,
I was ahout to cancell it, because I could not send it, but
vpon second thoughts I spared it The Falcon is safe
come to Ys, but not one lettre to me in it, as I heare of.
I mett with one of Captaine Wiggins seruants that came
ouer, whoe told me of such things he knew. I doe much
applaud your resolution to plant Conectecut. Fortifie the
mouth meanely well, but except you can find a place there
naturally fortified, in the water as Venice, or on the maine
as Doner, bestow not too much cost & paines vpon it;
rather goe vp further (leaning a garison belowe) : leame by
reports & your owne obseruation where (on that Riuer) the
natiues haue lined longest & healthfullest, and in greatest
aboundance, though it be 50, 60, or 70 or more miles vp
in the land ; if any be there, gett theire good will, if pos-
sible you can, to sitt downe with them or by them ; howe-
soeuer be as neere as may be, soe it be a place comodious
for trade & husbandrie, and not easilie surprized by an
enimie. But you may say its easie to sitt vpon a cushion
& direct, but difficult to performe. I doe not speake of
ympossibilities, but giue caution for a good begining &
foundation, that hereafter it may not be said Pcenitet^ or
had-I-wist. A busines wel begun is plesant & hopefull.
The best wilbe therefore to begin with God, which I doe
not doubt but you will, and seeke his directions, howe and
where you may lay a foundation for a Cittie of Peace, to
the honor of His great name, in your religious cohabiting
together ; and soe that you may prepare & prouide con-
uenient & comfortable dwellings & portions for your
future generations, that they may haue cause to blesse
God in theire harts, for your labours of lone.
I shall not need to request of you some knowledge of
your plantation, & howe farre you haue discouered the
riuer, & howe you like it, & what newes of the Lake, &
how farr you are from the Dutch, and from Boston. I am
504 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
perswaded you will acquaint me with that which you
thinke is fittest for me, and reserue for me the rest vntill a
seasonable tyme : only this I would gladly see, a Mapp of
the longe Hand & the coast from Cap Cod to Riuer Hudson
[if] you haue one to spare. My father & mother salutes
you with theire lone, and soe doe my sisters. Your Bro-
ther Dr.* was wel lately, he was with me. There dyed this
last weeke in & about London of all diseases 855, & of
the Plague 536, besides aboue 100 in Westminster and con-
trie parishes adioyninge, but howe many 1000 amonge vs
are dead in theire sinus I knowe not, yet noe doubt we haue
a remnant that haue not bowed theire knee to Baal. For
my parte I doe, as much as in me lyes, commend & com-
mitt my soule to God in wel-doeing, and ventre my bodie
amonge the lining & dead. But I doubt I haue bin too
tedious and troublesome, it's my loue to you constraineth
me to write the more, because we cannot speake together.
I hope your remotenes from the Bay will not hinder the
entercourse of lettres betweene vs.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
2P March: 1637.
My Ffrind, &c. — Yours of the 1st of August last I
received, and alsoe the Mapp of the Coast about Pequot,
for which & former kindnes I thanke you. The relation of
your fight with the Indians I haue read in print, but of the
fight amonge yourselues, Bellum linguarum, the strife of
tongues, I have heard much, but little to the purpose. I
wonder your people that pretend to knowe soe much, doe
not knowe that Loue is the fulfiUinge of the Lawe, and
that against Loue there is noe Lawe. But noe mar\'ell :
• Probably Dr. Samuel Keade, brother of Wiothrop^s wife. — Eds.
1639.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 505
when many haue not the begining* of wisdom in them ;
and howe can they that feare not God, keepe his commande-
ments or fulfill them? but I hope when I come to find
more vnitic, peace & lone. The terra incognita cognita est
paucis, arcanum Jehorjue adest reuerentibus ipsum ; to tell
you my thoughts or knowledge of it, its neither earth,
water, aire, nor fire, nor octher, soe that its beyond sence,
or my expression, but to giue you an intelligible taste, its
lesser then the least, it cannot be diuided nor comunicated,
its bigger then the bigest, for its perfect, its beyond the
highest, and below the lowest, for thought cannot reach it,
if you knowe it I need not tell you it, if I speake in an
vnknowne tongue, I doe but beate the aire. Your Aunt
D : can informe you of my dwellinge, where I shalbe glad
to heare from you, that I may continue to be, as I desire,
Tuus vt possim. E. H.
Indorsed by Johu Winthrop, Jr., " Mr. Ed. Howes with a parable."
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his much esteemed /rind Mr. John Winthrop Junr, aJt Boston in
the MassacJiusetts Bay or dsewhere in New England these dlr.
Sir, — Yours I receiued, with 2 relations of monstrous
births t and a generall earthquake.^ When I had read
them, they seemed to me like Pharaoh's dreames ; but whoe
can tell certainely wherefore God sent them? where is
there such an other people then in New England? that
labours might & maine to haue Christ formed in them, yet
• " Tho fenre of the Lord." — Howes.
t See Winthrop'9 Hist, of N.E., i. 271-273. — Eds.
X The cnrthqnake of June 1, 1638, is mentioned by Winthrop, Bradford, and Johnson;
and was felt very generally in the several New-England Colonies. It is also noticed by
Roger Williams, in a letter printed on p. 229 of this yolume. See Winthrop*s Hist of N.E.,
i. 265 ; Bradford's Hbt. of Plym. Plant., p. 866 ; Wooder-working Froyidence, p. 181. — Eds.
64
506 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1639,
they would giue or appoynt him his shape, & cloath him
too. It cannot be denyed but we haue conceiued many
monstrous imaginations of Christ Jesus, the one imagina-
tion sayes loe, here he is ; the other sayes loe, there he is ;
multiplicitie of conceptions, but is there any one true
shape of Him ? and if one of many produce a shape, tis
not the shape of the sonne of ^ but an velie horridd
*^ man, ^
Metamorphosis, neither is it a liuinge shape, but a dead
one, yet a crow thinkes her owne bird the fairest, and
most preferre theire owne wisedome before Gods, Anti-
christ before Christ ; to you I write, with whome I may be
bold ; and is't a wonder the Earth should quake at this ?
O Earth, Earth, Earth, heare the voyce of the Lord, a still
silent voyce, yet where it comes it maketh the mountaines
to quake, and the hills to tremble.
The bookes you writt for, I haue not mett with them as
yet at the shopps where I haue bin ; I could wish you some
bookes, but one booke were enough, if you could come by
it, its written within and without, its calld by many names,
but it is not knowne by the names, but to those that have
the nature thereof: to giue you the name and nature in a
Mwi^viuB word, its the booke of life, where you may read all within
you, and all without you ; and Him that is all in all ; to
whose protection I leaue you & rest
Your frind in the best I may Edward Howse.
CuRSlSTORS CouRTE necre Lincolnes Inn, the 14th of Aprill, 1639.
Pray present my loue to your best beloued wife. My
father & mother are in health & salute you, so doth my wife,
vnknowne to you, but by my relation ; we should be glad
to see you at our habitacion, if your affaires drawe you to
London. For newes, I refer you to the vulgar Athenians.
Vale.
Shall I hide any thinge from my friend ? Read this to Mr.
J : S. and doe with it as you please. If it may doe him or
any other, good : God speed it.
1639.] THE WINTIIROP TAPERS. 507
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To my verie louinge/rind Mr, Jo : Winthrop at his house in Salem
or elsewhere in New England these dlr.
Sir, — To tell you quid scribitur, quid agitur de terra
ista Adamicafere incognita^ what I hearc, what I see, what
I knowe, would be as tedious for you to read, as for me to
write ; but to tell you where I am, & what I doe, & when
you shall see me, is a shorter worke. My bodie is at Lou-
don, my soule in my bodie, and my mind in my soule, &c.
and if you will, in mind I am and canbe cuery where ;
while I am writing this lettre, I am with you, and what
doe I ? Outwardly I am writing, inwardly I am meditate
inge ; and still with you, and doe you aske when you
shall see me ? If you know not I will tell you. When
you can see your selfe, or you & I all one ; longe since you
termed me Alter idem^ and will there neuer be an vnion
thinke you ? Because I account few words best, I haue
sent you a little booke or two more by Mr. Kirbies sonne
and by the way . . . tell you that you
after Phil
openly, and
doe with Phil, th . . . . [«eren Unes mutOated'j
your father •
when it hath
whereof I conceiue
more then one, there is all goods to be found in vnitie,
and all evill in duallitie & multiplicitie. Phoenix ilia ad-
miranda sola semper existit^ therefore while a man & she is
two, he shall neuer see her. The Arabian Philos : I writt
to you of, he was stjled among vs Dr. Lyon, the best of all
the ^-j-ns* that euer I mett with all, farre beyond Dr. Euer :
they that arc of his straine are knowing men ; they pre-
* Rosicrucians. — Eds.
508 THE WINTHKOP PAPERS. [1639.
tend to liue in free light, they honor God & doe good to
the people among whome they liue, and I conceiue you
are in the right that they had theire leaminge from Arabia.
But they come much shorte of the people that haue theire
leaminge from heauen, from God, from the Sonn of his
Loue, such I meane as are liuinge men, whose life & con-
versation caracterizeth them, & not theire knowledge ; for
'tis written (& we beleiue) knowledge puffeth vp, and Loue
buyldeth vp ; they haue knowledge as much as any, but it
is not theire essence, theire life, theire All O- But more
of this hereafter ; and for other newes I referre you to your
sister Fek ke you for conveyinge
you hue, doe,
sts true disciple,
ght, doe as he doth
. . . What can I say more ? Q Remember my humble
service to your father & mother, & my louinge salutations
to all your brothers & sisters, and to Siguier Humfries, Mr.
Bich : Saltonstall, &c. Haue with this as much loue as a
man can yeild to his frind, & the Lord giue you a right
vnderstanding in all things; this is & shalbe the harty
prayer of
Your euer louinge frind Edward Howse.
25! ffebr: 1639.
Direct your lettres to me neere Lincolns Inn.
Coats lyned with fur . . . among gent. I pray helpe me
to some Otter or ... . winter, as may lyne me a coate,
& I will retorne . . . ey or bookes. Vale in Xto.
Indorsed by John Winthrop, Jr., " Mr. Howes."
1640.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 509
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
London, May 12, 1640.
Deare Sir, — Yours of the 16th of March last, this
day I received per Mr. Kirbie, and am sorrie to vnderstand
by you and him, that the vnfaithfuU steward hath mett
with you or your fathers estate ; I could wish my selfe
with you (till the storme here be ouer) but I doubt I should
be in the stewards case, though not vnfaithfuU yet vnprof-
fitable, for I cannot digg, and to begg I shalbe ashamed ;
nor howe to ymproue that Uttle God hath lent me, if I
were with you; for Lawyers and Phisitians haue noe
gaine with you, & I thinke Clergie men as little, vnlesse
they be such as shall speake & doe to please men, hauinge
an excellent forme of Godlikenes, but denye the power
thereof. But my good frind ; the word saith ; Godlienes
is greate gaine, if a man be content with that which he
hath ; tis to you I write this, as to a frind whome I entire-
ly loue. As for the Magneticall instrument you writt of;
it is alsoc sympatheticall, and therefore magneticall ; we
vse to say good witts iumpe, though heads touch not ; many
can say soe, some find it soe, but fewe enquire into the
true reason whie it is soe. I haue sent you a booke by
Jo : Tinker, that will sett your witts on woUgatheringe, or
rather to shew you howe some mens witts runne a woU-
gatheringe, vntill, like the Astronomer gazing vpwards,
doe fall into the pitt of death. I know the gent : one Mr.
Wilkins* of Maudlin HaU in Oxon made the booke ; and
* Rt. Rev. John Wilkin?, a graduate of Magdalen College, Oxford; afterward chaplain
to Lord Say; and successively Warden of Wadham College, and Master of Trinity College,
Cumbridgc ; and consecrated Bii^hop of Chester, Nov. 15, 16C8. lie was noted as a philoso-
phical and mathematical writer of great talents and acquirements, and was an early and
active member of the Royal Society. He married a sister of Oliver Cromwell in 1656;
and died Nov. 19, 1672.
The work here referred to was probably his '* Discovery of a New World; or, a Dis-
course tending to prove that (it is probable) there may be another habitable world in the
Moon;" which was published anonymously in 1640. — Kns.
510 THE WINTHEOP PAPERS. [1640.
he pretends to haue the perpetuall motion, & the magneti-
call alphabet ; sed cui commodum in tempore confusionis. I
allwayes forbeare to contradict the wilfull, tis to reproue
the scomefuU, and to cast pearles to swj'ne. But to our
sympathetica!! busines, whereby we may communicate
our minds one to an other, though the diameter of the
Earth interpose. Diana non est Centrum omnium. I wou!d
haue you soe good a Geometritian as to Icnowe your owne
center. Did you euer yet measure your euerlasting se!fe,
the length of your life ; the breadth of your lone ; the
depth of your wisdome ; and the hight of your light ? Let
Truth be your Center & you may doe it, otherwayes not.
I could wish you would nowe begin to leaue off being al-
together an outward man ; this is but Casa Regentis ; the
Ruler can drawe you straight lynes from your center to
the confines of an infinite circumference, by which you
may passe from any parte of the circumference to another,
without obstacle of earth or secation of lynes, if you ob-
serue and keepe but one & the true & only center, to passe
by it, from it, and to it. Me thinkes I nowe see you intus et
extra^ and talke to you ; but you mind me not, because
you are from home, you are not within, you looke as if
you were carelesse of your selfe, your hand & your voyce
diflfer, tis my frinds hand, I knowe it well ; but the voyce is
your enemies : O my frind, if you loue me, gett you liome,
gett you in : you haue a frind at home, as well as an ene-
mie ; know them by theire voyces, the one is still driuing
or enticing you out, the other would haue you stay within.
Be within, & keepe within, and all that are within, and
keepe within, shall you see, knowe, & communicate
with, to the full ; and shall not neede to straine your out^
ward sences to see & heare that which is like themselues
vncertaine, and too, too often, false ; but abidinge for euer
within, in the Center of Truth, from thence you may
behold, conceiue, and understand the inumerable diuerse
1C40.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 511
emanation within the Circumference; and still within;
for without are falcities, lyes, vntruths, doggs, &c.
I sent you lettres & 2 bookes by Mr. Kirbies sonne, I
hope ere this they are come to your hands. I pray pre-
sent my vnfeigned loue & humble seruice to your honored
father & mother, alsoe to Mr. Dow[ning] & your good
aunte ; and tell her I hope we shall doe some good for
her this terme in Cheneys busines. I desire to knowe
what became of my lettres to Jo : Sand : and to the rest ;
what you knowe thereof send me word, for I would not
haue the persons of men perish, for theire sinnes sake, if
possiblie I could preuent the same. My wife & I haue
noe child yet; my father & mother are both liuinge &
hartie, I tlianke God ; and as longe as they Hue looke not
for me ; the word is gonne out of my mouth & I cannot
recall it ; yet assure your selfe I am present with you in
prayer, hartie good wishes, and other thoughts for your
reall welfare & safety : my loue is soe to you I am loath
to parte ; yet being alsoe loath to be troublesome, & frinds
must sometymes parte, that they may againe renew theire
frindshipp. Salute your wife for me, & wish well to
Tuissimus Ed. Howse.
I pray remember to send me some furrs to lyne a close
coate withall in the winter ; and the price of them I shall
pay to whom you will, or send it in bookes.
Remember my loue to Mr. Humfries & Mr. Fowles, &
Mr. Rich : Saltonstall, when you see them.
512 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1644.
EDWARD HOWES TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
For his mudi este
John Winthrop a
Charles Towne bet
in Mercy
in Ne
Sir, — Notwithstandinge my late salutes, which I hope
Mr. Downing hath sent per Mr. Graves, I having this op-
ortunity, my love constraines me to tender againe my due
respects vnto you, & sheweing that I have a longing desire
to be neere vnto you, I waite but for time & a suflScient
call to invite me. Therefore (as by my former) I desire
you to procure setled on me a few acres of land ; I am
advised to remove my mind from Cambridge lott, to Bos-
ton ; my desire is to have it on the tast side of one of the
hills, fitt for a Mathematicall Schoole. I shall referre
the choyce of the place to your judgment, and if it may not
come by donation, for my former service not vnknown to
many, get it as cheape as you can for me. I name noe
number of acres, you know best how much wilbe needfull,
& you knowe I have noe child, therefore I may likely
leave it a free schoole to the State, and I hope before I
depart this world, to leave a Pillar with you for Posteritie.
If it possiblie may be, let me have a running spring in
the ground, or running through it, soe as it may not be
turned an other way: what you expend in the purchase
or procuringe, not exceeding ten pounds, I hope I shall be
able to pay vpon your bill here, or as you shall appoynt,
notwithstandinge these hard tj^mes. Thus desiringe you to
present my humble service to your worthy father & mother,
& my true loue to your selfe, I take leave & rest
Yours assured till death Edw. Howes.
Ratcliffe ffree Scuoole,* the 25th of ffebr. 1644.
• It would appear from the date of this last letter of Howes, that he was, at that time,
couuected with the Ratcliffe Free School, in London, as an instructor. It will be seen by
1644.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 613
I desire to know as soone as may be, what is or may be
done for me.
There hath come to my hands a mapp of the French
mens discoveries of Canada, & the parts north west of your
Pla[ntation] which being more large & more exact than any
I have formerly scene, I could not but take a coppie therof ,
and send it to you as a small token of my love & well
wishe[s] to your proceedings. I desire (if it may be pro-
cured) an exa[ct] Mapp of Hudsons River, whereon the
Dutch plant, & of the creekes & harbors betweene them
& you, & especially] of the Narrogansets, for I have some
frinds yet behind, that wish they might be really informed
and encoraged to come where they might love & serve the
Lord Jesus Christ, and theire neighbors, without being a
burthen or trouble to them : I should be glad of a true re-
lation of the places full west of your Bay of Mercy, dis-
covered & planted or peopled with English or others, even
to the Hyrocois or further ; but I dare not presume too
farr vpon your curtesie, or to prye too farr into your
secrets : what I have proposed on this & the other side, I
leave to your discretion, & shall sitt downe & submitt to
your judgment, & wayte longingly to heare from you, that
I may in some measure satisfie my selfe & my frinds, &
hasten away to give you reall thanks. Vale in Salvatore.
the letter next preceding, that he had engaged not to leave England while his parents were
living; and, they having probably died before this time, he was now ready to come over to
New England, and intended to establish a *' Mathematical School " in Boston. It does
not appear what obstacles prevented his carrying this design into execution; but there is
no evidence that he ever came. — Eds.
65
514 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
LETTEKS, &c., OF JOHN WINTHKOP, JK .♦
JOHN WINTHROP, JR., TO HIS FATHER.
To the right toorahip/uU my much honored father John Winthrop
esqr dlr in Boston.
PASBESHAUKEt Apr: 7. 1636.
Sir, — My humble duty remembred to your selfe & my
mother, with my loue to my brothers, and all our freinds
with you: I suppose you have heard of our arrivall at
Teeticut, and oportune meeting with our vessell. Con-
cerning that place, I conceive it is not above 22 or 24
miles from mount Wooliston or Dorchester mill, the cun-
try thereabouts very fertyle & rich ground, and so all downe
the river for 30 miles together (for so farre we went downe
before it grew wide into Saceames harbour) ; a ship of 600
tunnes may come vp about 10 or 12 miles in the Narrow
river. There is noe meadow nor salt marsh all the way,
* John Winthrop, Jr., generaDy known as the Governor of Connecticut, was the eldest
son of the Governor of Massachusetts. Having been educated at Trinity College, Dublin,
and having travelled extensively in the East, he followed his father to Massachusetts in the
autumn of 1681. He had revisited England in 1684, and obtained a commission from Lord
Say and Sele and Lord Brook to plant a colony at the mouth of the Connecticut Biver, of
which he was appointed Governor. He was on his way there when this first letter
was written. It is printed from the original as found among his father*s papers. But it
may be well to remark, that most of the letters and papers of the younger Winthrop in this
volume are printed from rough draughts or copies not always carefully prepared. They
are mainly interesting as having immediate relation to other letters contained in this
volume, or as throwing light upon points to which other letters have alluded. — Eds.
t We are unable now to designate the place whence this letter was written, no Indian
name corresponding to it having been found. The writer's destination was the mouth of
the Connecticut River. — Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 515
neyther could I see any in all Narigansett Bay, and as farre
as I could perceive, there is more marshe vpon Charles
Kiver & Misticke then all the Naragansetts neere the sea.
I was vp with Canonicus at his great citty. There be many
wigwams, but they stand not together as I have heard re-
ported. The ground there seemeth to be farre worse then
the ground of the Massachusetts being light, sandy & rocky,
yet they have good come vrithout fish : but I vnderstand
that they take this course ; they have every one 2 feilds,
which after the first 2 yeares they lett one feild rest each
yeare, & that kepes their ground contin[u]ally in hart. The
first of this month we sett sayle from Nariganset, and in
the aftemoone, about 6 a clocke, arrived heere : for this
place I have not yet seene any thing that I should be able
to Wright of it ISIr. Gibbons can fully informe you of all
things.
Thus craving your prayers & blessing, I commend you to
the Almighty, & rest
Your obedient Sonne John Winthrop.
I am informed by Mr. Ludloe that Dorchester planta-
tion hath lost 2%0li in cattle this winter, — besides other
townes.
I pray be pleased to remember to receive 2 barrells of
peas of Mr. Allerton, a hogshead of porke of Capt. Lovell,
and if Mr. Mayhew hath bought the provisions at the east,
I should desire 5 or 6 hogsheads peas, & as much bread. I
have but one turky, which as they say proves to be a cocke.
I send you backe by Mr. Gibbon the booke you wrote
your receipts in.
516 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1642.
AGREEMENT OF JOHN WINTHROP, JR., AND OTHERS WITH
NICHOLAS BOND.
Know all men by these presents that whereas John
Winthrop Junior of Boston in New England esqr doth
purpose at his retome with all convenient speed to erect
and build a worke for the making of Iron ; and hath taken
in divers Copartners for the advance and effecting thereof,
whereas alsoe Nicholas Bond of the Citye of Westminster
in the Countye of Middlesex esqr hath before the sealing
hereof delivered and payed vnto the said John the some of
one hundreth poimds of lawfull monie of England, to be
imployed in the said Iron worke for the best benefitt and
advantage of the said Nicholas Bond his executors ad-
ministrators and assignees, which said some of one hun-
dreth pounds, and all the benefitt, advantage and encrease,
that shall from tyrae to tyme and at all tymes hereafter
arise and growe. Wee the said John Winthrop, Emanuell
Downinge, and Hugh Peter doe hereby iar our selves, our
seurall and respective executors and amainistrators, pro-
mise and agree to be accomptable vnto the said Nicholas
Bond his executors administrators and assignees for the
same, according to the trew entent and meaninge of these
presents, without fraude, covenn or collusion ; witnes our
hands and seales, this 23d day of March A? Domini 1642.
John Winthrop [Junr]
Hugh Pe[ter]
Em: Downinge.
Sealed and deliuered in the presence of vs ;
Tho : Welde :
Indorsed, " Mr. Wintrop, Mr. Peters & Mr. Downing's assignment
of articles about the Iron woork in New England."
1644.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 517
PETITION OF JOHN WINTHROP, JK., TO THE GENERAL COURT
OF MASSACHUSETTS.
To the honored Oovemour & OeneraU Court assemhled at Boston.
THE HUMBLE PETITION OF JOHN WINTHROP lUNR.
Whereas there was a motion formerly by this honored
Court for the beginning a plantation about Pequott, and
the Court expressed themselves desirous, that some would
appeare in it, your petitioner being desirous to promote so
good a worke (& having formerly discovered some quantity
of the best sort of Iron Ston that hath yet beene discovered,
lijng convenient to be wrought in those parts), doth desire
leave to make a plantation in those parts at or neere
Pequott, with such fitting workemen, & others, that may
present themselves, & to lay out such a convenient place
for an Ironworke as is fitting, according to the grant of this
Court for the incouraging of Ironworkes the last Court, &
doth desire such liberties as are necessary, & other far
remote plantations doe inioy.
28th 4th m*. 1644.
The magistrates desire the consent of the Deputies
herein. John Endecot, Goveimor.
The house of Deputies do consent to this petition, pro-
vided that fit men appeare to carry on the plantation
within three yeares next ensuing.
Stephen Winthrope, by order of the house.
Vera Copia, Witnes Increase Nowell, Secret
Vpon the petition of Mr. John Winthrop iimr, exhibited
to this Courte, for leave to make a plantation att or neere
Pequott, it is ordered that the said petition is granted, &
618 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1W4.
that the petitioner shall have liberty to make a plantation
in the said Pequott Country, with such others as shall pre-
sent themselves to joyne in the said plantation, & they
shall enioy such liberties as are necessary, & other far re-
mote plantations doe inioy, and also to lay out a con-
venient place for Ironworkes, provided that a convenient
number of fitt persons to carry on the said plantation doe
appeare to prosecute the same within three yeares.
Dated 28th 4th m* 1644 :
Per Curia, Increase Nowell, Secret.
JOHN VnNTHROP, JK., TO LORD FORBES.*
Boston in New England, Dec: 23, 1644.
Eight Honorable, — I have desired this bearer, my
vnkle Mr. Downing, and my brother, to repaire to your
honor, to give your lordship information concerning the
country of Nova Scotia, called Acadie, where my lord
Starling f once possessed a goodly harbour, & a fort in it
called Port Royall, but now that & the whole coast ad-
ioyning is in the possession of the French ; which place of
Port Royall is sayd to be yet owing for to the heires of my
lord Starling, but is in the hands now of Monseir D'Aul-
ney, who hath also by violence disposessed an other French
lord, Monseir de La Tour, a great freind of the lord Star-
ling, who held his possession of Cape Sable from the
* Probably Alexander, Lord Forbes, who served in early life under Gustavns Adol-
phus, King of Sweden, and attained to the rank of lieutenant-general. He returned to
England at the breaking-out of the civil war, and was one of the commanders sent into
Ireland to suppress the rebellion in 1648. Or the letter may have been intended for Sir
William Forbes, who was created a baronet of Nova Scotia, in 1626, by patent of the
barony of Forbes, in Nova Scotia. — Eds.
t Sir William Alexander obtained his grant of the territory of Nova Scotia from
James I., Sept 10, 1621 ; which was confirmed by Charles I., July 12, 1626. He was ap-
pointed, in 1626, Secretary of State for Scotland; created Viscount Stirling in 1630; and
by letters-patent, June 14, 1688, Earl of Stirling. He died in 1640. —Eds.
1646.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 519
grant of my lord Sterling,* confirmed vnder the broad seale
of Scotland, as he hath shewed vnto vs, comming lately to
request succour agamst the violence of the said D'Aulney,
who hath wholy beat him out of Cape Sable, & seeketh by
all meane to dispossesse him of St. John's river, the place
which he & his predecessors have long enioyed ; to which
end he had brought commissions out of France, wherof
your honor may be pleased to receive their relation, the
English Colonies heere would be gre[a]t to have their
brethren of Scotland to be their neighbours in enioying
that antient right is conceived they had of Nova Scotia,
Acadie, & therefore I beseech your lordship to informe by
this bearer whether the State of Scotland hath wholy
deserted that country, & disclaime all right and interest
therein, and vpon what ground, whether only vpon my
lord Sterlings surrender ; and your lordships advice is
humbly desired what course may be iustly taken for the
succour & protection of Monseir La Tour, from the iniury
an[d] violence of his French adversaries, who doe prose-
cute with all vehemency against him, because the[y] thinke
him inclining to the protestant religion. Not having fur-
ther to trouble your honor, I humbly take leave, & rest
Your lordships humble servant [m ngnature,']
Indorsed by J. Winthrop, Jr., " Coppy of my letter to the Lord
Forbes."
JOHN WINTHROP, JR., TO THOMAS PETER.
lb my reverend friend Mr. Thomas Peter at Saye Brooke dd.
Boston Sept: 3. 1646.
Sir, — I am glad to heare of your recovery ; I should be
glad to see you, but cannot yet. I could not possibly come
* The grant from Sir William Alexander to Claude de St. Etienne, Sleor de la Tour,
is dated April 80, 1680. See Hazard'f Coll., i. 807. ~ Eds.
620 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1646.
with the Commissioners, for I am preparing to goe with
my family : if I should goe & retume, winter I feare
would overtake me before I should be ready to goe. I
desire you therefore to take care of the businesse for the
Pequot Indians, & that the Commissioners be fully in-
formed of Vncus his dealings. If the Pequotts be not
taken vnder the English, if these Indians that we must live
neere be still vnder Vncus command, there wilbe noe living
for English there ; we must not expect to be quiet I am
not willing to deale in it, because it may be conceived my
intentions are other then they are. I looke at the quiet
of our plantation principally, & conceiue a greate security
to have a party of the Indians here, to have their chiefe
dependance vpon the English. They vrill easily discover
any Indian plotts, &c. If you thinke meet, the Indians,
the captaine, Casacinamon, & some others in the name of
the rest, may declare their desires by way of petition, &c.
I cannot direct at such a distance, but you know best
what is to be done, & whats best for our plantation. I
must hasten to be with you: I am in hope of sackes for
Dammon.
I desire seede come may be procured. Rye & vrinter
wheat I hope they will sow some for me. I will pay the
same kind by exchange heere. So with my due respects
& love to yom: selfe & Mrs. Mary, Mrs. EUzabeth, & all
our freinds, I rest
Tuissimus John Winthrop.
Sir, I am much asked for the saddle was left. I pray
send it by the first oportunity, to be left at my fathers for
me. It was borrowed of Mr. Leader.
IndorBed, " Letter to Mr. Tho. Peter Sept: 8, — 46."
1^8.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 521
JOHN WINTHROP, JR., TO PETER STUYVESANT.
Noble Sir, — I haue requested this bearer Mr. Alcott
to waite vpon you to vnderstand your pleasure concerning
the estate of Mrs. Feakes, who being come hither with hir
children to inhabit, in respect of their neere relation t#
me, I am constreined to take such care of them as I can,
but being in want of all necessaries, they cannot possibly
heere have supplies : & therfore I am bold to request your
favour that there may be such present supplyes sent vnto
them out of the estate as may prevent those inevitable
wants which will other wise necessarily fall vpon them.
How you will please to order the estate for the future, as
they may haue a comfortable living out of it, I request
your speedy determination : if considering their residence
heere, you please to remitt the estate over hither, I will
take the best care I can that it shall be justly disposed of
by the direction of my father & the English Magistrates,
according to the English lawes in that behalfe : and be-
cause the land whereon they lived at Greenwich might
add much to their comfortable supplies, if it were im-
proved to the best, & for some other necessary considera-
tions, I earnestly request your favour for William Hallet,
that you wilbe pleased to grant him liberty to plant there,
according to an agreement made by Mr. Feakes with him,
& to passe & inhabitt within your iurisdiction, as he may
haue occation, which if it may be obteined, I desire he
might haue it sent vnto him by this bearer, Mr. Alcott, by
whom also you may please to cause the estate to be con-
veied hither, if that be your pleasure. And what you shalbe
pleased to determine, in case Mr. Alcott should be hin-
dered by the weather or other accidents from going as he
intendeth, & only these lines be some other way conveied,
66
522 THE WINTHBOP PAPERS. [1648.
I beseech you to certify your pleasure heerin by some
other oportunity. And if therin or any other way I may
be serviceable to you, be pleased to command
Your Humble Servant John Winthrgp.*
JOHN WINTHROP, JR., TO PETER STUYVESANT.
ft
Noble Sir, — I wrote to you in the winter by one Mr.
Olcot, who promised me the delivery with his owne hands.
I desired him to repaire to you to know your pleasure
concerning the estate of Mrs. Feakes, but this weeke I
vnderstand that he went not onward of his intended voy-
age, but altering his designe, my letters were not sent. I
am bold therfor againe to request your favour concerning
hir & the estate, that whereas there was an agreement
made with William Hallet for the managing of her estate
(which Mr. Feakes before his going into England told me
at Boston that he /ally consented to, knowing him to be
industrious & carefull, which I find since hir being heere
to be very true), that you wilbe pleased to lett the estate
be againe returned into hir hands, not knowing any other
way how it can be improued to the comfortable mainte-
nance of hir & the children, who for present for want of
* This letter has no date. It is indorsed by John Winthrop, Jr., " Copy of letter to the
Duch Governor concerning Mr. Peaks estate." It was written about the year 1648. Got.
Stnyvesant was not in America until May, 1647 ; and the reference to the writer's father,
who died in March, 1649, shows that it was written before that time. Other letters in this
volume also indicate the date above suggested. The husband of Mrs. Feakes was Robert
Feakes, of Watertown, who, after serving as a deputy in the General Court of Massachu-
setts for several years, had become, in 1640, one of the purchasers of Greenwich, in the
Colony of New Haven, but which, two years after, submitted to the jurisdiction of the
Dutch. Feakes must have gone to England about the time this letter was written; but he
returned to reside in Watertown, ** where he was for several years deprived of reason, and
died 1 Feb. 1663." — Brodhead's Hist, of N.Y., pp. 294, 830, 881; Trumbuirs Conn., i. 118;
Savage*s Geneal. Diet ; 8 Mass. Hist Poll., x. 2.
On the other side of the paper is an unsigned rough draught of another letter to Stny-
vesant on the same subject, as follows in the text — Eds.
1653.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 623
it are in a necessitous condition : as also that you wilbe
pleased to grant him liberty to retume againe within your
Jurisdiction, that he may gather up the scattered estate &
improue the land at Greenwich, which may add much to
their comfortable subsistence ; which lisense under your
hand I beseech you to send by this bearer William Cooly,
who intendeth shortly to retume to me.
JOHN WINTHROP, JK., TO PETER STUYVESANT.
Noble Sir, — According to your desire I dispatched
away a messenger with your letters to the Governour of
Massachusett, with all possible expedition after they came
to my hands, but the messinger was something retarded in
his retume by reason of a deepe snow that fell as he was
in his joumye backe, which forced him to stay some daies
longer then was expected, so as he came hither but thre
daies since. The letter which he brought back from the
Governour I haue now sent heere inclosed by Mr. Alford,
who hath promised to deliver it with his owne hands, he
intending the spediest oportunity possible of passage,
eyther by water, or land. I am not only in hope that
your christianlike proposalls lately sent to the govemours
of the English (I thanke you for the open copy you were
pleased to impart to my self), may haue a fruitfuU effect to
the good of both colonies, but hope there may be expec-
tation of a speedy composure of those sadd differences
betweene the 2 nations in Europe. I have not to adde
but to desire you to reade that I am, my lord
Your humble servant J. W.
Peq: Mar: 28, 1653.
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop of Conn., " Copy of my letter to Mr.
Peter Stevesant Governor of the Duch."
524 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1662.
JOHN WINTHROP, JR., TO PETER STUYVESANT.
Honored Sir, — I dispatched a messinger with your
letter to the Governour of Massachuset, according to your
desire, and received another from him to yourselfe, which
I sent away by Mr. Alford about five daies since, who in-
tended to goe by the spediest oportunity to Manhatan, and
promised carefully to deliver it: so as I hope you haue it
before these come to your hands, or very shortly after.
Not having further to adde at present I rest
Your humble servant John Winthrop.
Apr: 5. 1653.
Indorsed, " Copy of letter to the Duch Governour."
JOHN VFINTHROP, JR., TO SIR GEORGE DOWNING.*
Honored Sir, — I have beene very vnhappy that since
my arrivall in England I have not yet scene my honored
aimt, your mother, which hath beene both contrary to my
intention & desires, and had often resolved, but could not
avoid such divertions that have hitherto retarded. I know
not what hir condition is, nor how she lives, as to a com-
fortable subsistance now in hir tyme of age and infirmity,
so farr absent from your selfe & all other acquaintance &
friends. I feare your servants or agents, in whose hand
your estate is, may neglect hir as to such comfortable sup-
plyes, as may be fitting for hir, & honoreble for your selfe.
* Sir George Downing was at this time British minister at the Hague. His reply to
this letter will be found among his own letters which follow in this volume. — Eds.
1662.] THE WmXHROP PAPERS. 525
though I haue not heard the least word of any such mat-
ter from hir. She is now aged, and in an ordinary way of
nature cannot but dayly draw neerer to the confines of a
better inheritance, but while God is pleased to lenthen
hir dayes, I beleeve it cannot but be your desire she may
enioy the reall fruits of the Almightyes Bounty to hir
Sonne, whose remotenesse from hir cannot but be affliction
ynough to so loving a mother. It may be your portion to
be yet longer absent, and what other accidents may fall
owt, that may leave hir vpon vncertainties, as to a com-
fortable livelihood, none can foresee. I know you honor
& love hir above measure : be pleased to think of some
honorable settlement for hir future dales, God having for
this end, amongst others, blessed you with a faire large es-
tate (which I reioyce to heare of) my serious & earnest
advice & request is, that you would consider to settle a
certaine annuity or the like for hir life, that might be
made sure for hir, whatever should fall out: about an
himdred poimd per annum at least, to be at hir certaine &
present inioyment & command, might be comfortable for
hir ; lesse will not be honorable nor satisfactory to your
selfe. Excuse my motion for so deserving a friend ; who,
might hir age beare the trouble of so long a passage, &
your consent to it, should have the absolute command of
what ever in that wildemesse, is possessed by .
Your humble servant J. W.
London, May 9: 1662.
Indorsed by John Winthrop, Jr., "Copy of letter to Sir George
Downing.**
526 THE WINTHROP FAFERS. [1663.
JOHN WINTHROP, JR., TO PETER STUYVESANT.
To the Bight HonoraMe Peter Stuyvesant Oovemor of New
Netherlands.
Right Honorable, — Att the very instant of my arri-
vall heere I had the happinesse to receive your Honors
letters, and the joyful! newes of your welfares by Mr.
Nicolas Varlet. What your honor is pleased to expresse
concerning your desires of continuance of the like firme
peace, and vnion, as is betweene our superiours in Europe,
I hope there is the like reall disposition in all the English
of this wildernesse to desire, & promote the same, wherin
there shall not be wftnting my best indeavours vpon all oc-
casion, for the more firme selling, and perpetuall continu-
ance thereof.
That which your honor mentioned concerning Mr.
Varlet his businesse about the estate of his deceased
father, I began immediately vpon the reading your letter
to inquire about the same, and should have beene ready to
serve him according to the equity of his case, had there
beene need of it, but am informed both from himselfe,
and also some of the magistrats heere, that the businesse
is* issued to his satisfaction before my comming. I have
not at present to add, but to present my best respects and
service to your honor and your honord lady and sonns,
with great thanks for those favours when I was beginning
my late pilgrimage from your citty, and rest
Your most aflfectionate frend & servant J. W.
Habtfobd June 17, 1663. Stilo veteri.
Indorsed by J. Winthrop, Jr., " Copy of letter to Peter Stuyvesant
Greneral of Newnetherland."
1664.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 627
JOHN WINTHROP, JR., TO PETER STUYVESANT.
To the Bight Honorable Peter Stut/vesant Chvernor and his
counce[U] residing at ManadoSf dd.
Right Honorable, — I am lately come hither vpon the
command of the Right Honorable Colonell Richard Nicolls,
Commander in Cheife of his Majesties Forces now ar-
rived heere, and other of his Majesties Honorable Commis-
sioners. I now vnderstand from themselves that they have
commission from our Soveraigne Lord King Charles to re-
duce to his Majesties obedience, all such forreigners as
have, without his Majesties leave and consent, seated them-
selves amongst any of his Dominions in America, to the
preiudice of his Majesties subiects, & diminution of his
Royall authority. I am informed also that his Majesties
Commissioners have declared and promised, that those that
will acknowledge and testify themselves to submitt to his
Majesties government, as his good subiects ought to doe,
shalbe protected, by his Majesties Lawes, & Justice, and
peaceably enioy whatever Gods blessing and their owne
honest industry hath furnished them with, and all other pri-
veledges with his Majesties English subiects. I vnderstand
also that they have in his Majesties name demanded the
towne scituate vpon the Manhades, with all the forts
therevnto belonging, to be surrendred vnder his Majesties
obedience. I thought fitt to give you this freindly advertise-
ment, that I vnderstand his Majesties command concerning
this businesse is vrgent, and that although he hath sent
over very considerable forces, exeedingly well fitted with
all necessaries for warre, with such ingeneeres and other
expedients for the forcing the strongest fortifications, yet
hath also given them order to require assistance of all his
Majesties Colonies & subiects in New England, and hath
528 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [IGM.
directed his particular commands, in his Eoyall letters to
our Colonies. My serious advice therfore to your selfe &
all your people, as my loving neighbours and freinds, is this,
that you virould speedily accept his Majesties gracious ten-
der, which I vnderstand hath beene declared, and resigne
your selves vnder the obedience of his Sacred Majestie,
that you may avoid the effusion of blood, and all the good
people of your nation may enioy all the happinesse ten-
dered, and more then you can imagine, vnder the protec-
tion of so gratious a Prince, otherwise you may be assured,
that both the Massachusett Colony and Conecticutt, and
all the rest are obliged & ready to attend his Majesties ser-
vice : and if you should by wilfull protraction occasion a
generall rising of the English Colonies, I should be sorry
to see the ill consequences which you will bring vpon your
people therby, of which I hope and perswade in reall
compassion, that you will not runne so great an hasard to
occasion a needlesse warre, with all the evills & miseries
that may accompany the same, when nothing but peace
and liberties & protection is tendered. I have I hope ob-
teined of their honors this further addition to theire for-
mer free tenders for the good of your selves, your freinds,
and allies, that any of your freinds in Holland that will
come over hither, shall have free liberty to inhabite &
plant in these parts vnder his Majesties subiection, and to
transport themselves in theire owne country ships, which
(if you consider well) gives you such a settlement in your
present condition that you will find little alteration, but
your submission to and acknowledgment of his Majesties
Empire, (for the most apparent future good of all your
people) who hath imployed such persons of honor & worth
that your people may be happy vnder their government.
I have desired Mr. Samuell Willis, and my son,* with
* Fitz John Winthrop, who succeeded bis father, after no long Intenral, as GoTemor of
Connecticnt — Eds.
1664.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 529
Capt : Thomas Gierke, and Capt : John Pinchen, to attend
your honor with these letters, and to have further confer-
ence with your honor ahout the premises, and desire they
may have freindly reception, and free returne with their
com panic & attendance, and you shall receive vpon any
occasion the like civilities from
Your loving neighbour & servant John Winthrop.
Orayesant, Aug: 22: 1664.
We doe approve and allow of this letter, & giue our as-
sents that it be sent to the Governor of the Manhadoes.
KrCHARD NiCOLLS
Robert Carr
George Cartwright.*
JOHN winthrop, jr., TO ROGER WILLIAMS.
The copy of a letter to Mr. Williams of Providence in answer to
^ his.f
Hartford, Feb: 6, 1664:
Sir, — I was very glad of your late letter, and to see
therby that the winter of your age hath yet warme affec-
tions for your old freinds; and if your head be growne
white, as I find in your riddle, yet there is much more
candor in the heart, and brighter then that snow which
covers the hiQs.
* This letter is printed from the original draught in Winthrop*8 hand, and the signa-
tures to the certificate at the end are the original autograph signatures of the Royal Com-
missioners. It was followed on the 8th of September, 1604, by the capitulation of Governor
Stuyvesant, and the complete annihilation of the Dutch power in America. A vivid de-
scription of the effect which the letters of Winthrop and Nioolls produced upon Stuyvesant
may be found in Hollister's History of Connecticut, i. 227-8. See also Trumbull, i. 279,
280; Smith's Hist, of N.Y., i. 16-29; Brodhead, 788-741; HoUnes, i. 834. — Eds.
t Unhappily, the letter of Williams, to which this was the reply, cannot be found.
Winthrop's copy of his own letter is very rough, and, in some places, almost illegible; but
it is too interesting to be lost. — Eds.
67
530 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1664.
We must all despaire of the spring of youth agame as
to this world, yet we know there wilbe an etemall spring
without succeeding winter, a perpetuall flourishing verdure,
& houses not made with hands, etemall in the heavens,
without decay: but though its the ordinary appointment
of the Almightye that age should decline without retume of
renued strength & vigour, yet somtymes He lets us see His
mighty power over nature itselfe & all His creatures, in
giving a reall renovation to some men, as well as to the
eagles whose youth is euer renued, (as the profet also inti-
mates), though [they] have flesh, blood & bones, as well as
other creatures. There are now living, in these parts 2
who being above 80 yeares have lately had reneued teeth.
But this is but only a very small, partiall supply of a kind of
an extemall part, yet such as in the vsuall course of nature
is only from the vegitating quality of the spring of our
yeares. but this is nothing to what is written of the decanus
edentulus that did reiuvenescerCy and it was very few years
since knowne to be reall in a minister of the North of Eng-
land, of whom I had not only read in the newes bookes of
that tyme, but was assured of it by the report of a freind in
England, Mr. Francis Web (possibly not vnknowne to your
selfe), who had inquired into the truth of it, & sent to the
man him selfe about it, & was certified that in his very old
age, (the particular number of his yeares I doe not perfectly
remember, but I thinke it was above an hundred,) the head
was againe covered with youthfull haire, & he had new
teeth, and having vsed for fourty yeares before to read with
spectacles, could afterward read the smallest print with his
old renewed eyes, without the help of any glasses ; & I have
heard also that such renovations have beene knowne in
Scotland, not so rarely. Sir, this discourse hath beene
only occasioned by what was gathered from the top of
these white hils in your letter ; you will easily excuse any
impertinencies may appeare therein. It occasioneth an
1664.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 631
vsefuU meditation; why should it seme strange that the
same omnipotent power should produce that glorious resto-
ration out of the grave, sea, dust, ashes, & corruption ?
Sir, I thanke you for the intelligence of those passages
mentioned, which I wish had beene some of them more
full, for they are very newes heere, though I perceive your
supposing we had heard of them, caused the shortning, &
only an hint of them. That especially about war with
Holland, we have not yet had any certainty of it, but the
intimation in your letter of the very day it was proclaimed,
makes it seeme so credible that though these letters from
Boston, which came with yours, mention only expectation
of that war, yet we may suppose you have it some other
way & not thence, of which I wish it had beene also
hinted, what way the newes came & the certanty thereof,
for it is of great concernment to have the certanty of it.
By what you mention of the comander of the Indians' war,
it appears the feud still continues, although the Mowhoaks
(as I suppose you have heard) have killed the Cheife Sa-
chem & Capt. of the Vpland Indians, Onopequen, & his
wife & children, after they had taken him ; its said they
kild him before they knew who he was ; they are all fled
from Pacomtuck & Squakeage & Woruntuck, & it seemes
some of them to your parts, but there are 2 fort^ of them
neere Springfeild ; all the Indians of these parts are to-
gether in a fort neere Winsor. I heard from Mr. Pinchon
that they would make peace if they knew how, but none
of them durst goe to treat about it : I should thinke now
they have revenged upon Onopequen, they might herken
to peace ; which possibly if they desire it, may be by the
mediation of the English, when its season of passing. By
letters from New Yorke I am informed that by an ex-
presse from Fort Albany (formerly Fort Orange), it is in-
formed that 3000 of the Seneckes, a people in league with
the Mohawkes beyond them, are gathered together &
give out threatning against all English, pretending some
532 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1664.
of their nation have beene killed by the English at New- •
land ; but of this I suppose you have heard by the Arrival
of Sir Robert Carr in your parts, who passed by Milford
the later end of the weeke before last, in a vessell to
Secunke, in his way to Boston, by whom that intelligence
was left at Milford.
Sir, I wonder not at what you write of any being hott
& dry, they must needs be hot & drye that run fast, & with
violence, & may outrun themselves ; I hope they will not
make an ill vse of the moderation these find from freinds
heere. Your wise moderation I know doth well helpe to
ballast in gusts & too high sailes. Sir, I shall only add my
cordiall salutes to your selfe, Mrs. Williams, & all yours,
with my salutations also to Mr. Throgmorton & his, & all
freinds, resting Yours affectionately, J. W.
I thanke God we have beene generally in good health
this winter. 3 very aged men have died this winter, & one
a littie before.
1650.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 533
LETTERS OF PETER STUYVESANT*
PETER STUYVESANT TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To the worthily esteemed Mr. John Winthrop, in Pequotoh,
Sir, — According to the relation of Tho : Stanton, I was
in good hope to haue seene you heere att the riuer's
mouth, where, or else where, your presence should haue
bynne very acceptable vnto mee : howeuer, I hope one day
to see you. I know not how occasions may dispose of
me, otherwise it is probable I may come into these partes
in the spring. In the meane tyme, if you are either fur-
nished, or can be, with any quantitie of good trading wam-
pum, I shall take it of from you, & make you payement in
commodeties att reasonable price, but I would haue it spe-
ciale good. If I could haue spoaken with you, I would
* Peter Stnyvesant, the son of a clergyman, was bom in FrieMand, and educated at
the University of Franeker. After having served as Director of the Island of Gura^oa,
and having lost a leg in the expedition against the Island of St. Martin, he received his
commission as Director-General of New Netherlands July 28, 1646 ; and arrived at Man-
hattan, May 11, in the following year. He found the affairs of the colony in great confu-
sion ; applied himself at once to rectify the disorders which had prevailed in the latter
part of Kieft*s administration ; and soon commenced a correspondence with the governors
of the New-England Colonies, with a view to the settlement of existing difficulties.
Stuyvesant sailed for Holland in May, 1665 (the next year after the surrender of New Am-
sterdam to the English), to give an account to the Dutch Government of the causes which
led to the surrender. He returned to America in 1668, and died in 1672. His will is dated
19 Jan., 1672; and was admitted to probate in March following. His remains were in-
terred in a vault under a chapel, erected by himself in his " Bouwerie;'* the tomb being
now under St. Mark's Church, in the Bowery, New York. — Eds.
534 THE WINTHEOP PAPERS. [1663.
haue entred into agreement with you to haue taken a con-
siderable quantitie each yeare. I rest & expect your
answere by the first,
Your assured ffriend P. Stuyvesant.
From Riueb's mouth otherwise called Satbroke ffobt,
this 27th : Sepr : 1650.
PEl^R STUYVESANT TO JOHN WLYTHROP, JR,
To the Bight HonnoroMe John Wintrop, Eaqr : Governor off the
Colony off Hardfort.
Right Honnourable Sir, — Vppon the rumor off your
longe expected arrival, I could (by this ocasion off my
brother in law Nicolavs Varlet, beinge necessitated in the
behalve off his deceased parents estate, to make a voyage
vnto your parts :) not omit to congratulaet your honnors
commeinge to his old place & Government, the experance
off your honnours wisdome, peaceable condition, & naturly
affection to peace, amity, and neighborhood, gives me
hope that soo as in Europa betweene our Superiors is a
firme peace, vnion & confederancy, that the same in these
remote parts may be observed, & that once all former ques-
tions about the limits, and other pretentions may be re-
mowed, wherein we shal not be wantinge to contribut
therevnto the readines off a good will and affection, & al
conducybel meanes.
In the head off these presents I have mentioned of my
brothers goeinge into your parts, only for the administra-
tion off his deceased parents estate, & whereas it is lyke,
at the least to be feared, that he may meet with sum trou-
bel & questions with sum debtors or creditors belonginge
to the aforementioned estate, he had desyred off me these
1663.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 635
• few lynes off addres & recommandatioii to your honnor,
which I could not deney him. I shal therefore creave
your honnour will be pleased to favour him, with a favor-
able hearing, good & speedy cours off justice, & he beinge
vnacquainted in the English tongh & Lawes, iff he should
mis in any proseedings, I hope & doubt not, you wil ad-
vyse him in way of justice for the best. Soo after my
love, respects, & service presented vnto you & yours, I shall
rest Your Honnours Lovinge Friend and Servant
P. Stuyvesant.
Amsterdam, in the New Netherlands, this 9th off June, A? 1663 :
Indorsed bj Governor Winthrop of Connecticut, " Such Gover-
nor, receaved Jun : 17: 1663."
636 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1645.
LETTERS OF SIR GEORGE DOWNING.*
SIR GEORGE DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his honoured Cosen John Winihropj Esquire, these. New
England.
Sir, — % is to my no smale griefe to hear of Gods
afflicting hand both at home and abroad, bnt yet (I must
needs confesse) tis no more than I partly lookt for before
my departure, when as I considered the instability of all
mens minds, the depressing of such as well diserved, a sad
omen that God will either take them wholly away, because
they are not esteemed of them, or make them such as the
fickle guidy headed people would haue them to be. We
are growne a little to hygh. The Sea fort was not a name
besieming any New England vessell. The meddling with
* Sir George Downing was the eldest son of Emanuel Downing by his second wife,
Lncj Wlnthrop, the sister of Governor Winthrop of Massachusetts. The Governor thus
describes his nephew, when he embarked on the voyage at one of the stages of which
this letter was written : ^ The scarcity of good ministers in England, & want of employ-
ment for our new graduates, occasioned some of them to look abroad. Three honest young
men, good scholars, & very hopeful, viz. a younger son of Mr. Higginson, to England, &
80 to Holland, & after to the East Indies; a younger son of Mr. Bnckly, a Batchellor of
Arts, to England ; & Mr. George Downing^ ton of Mr. Emanuel Downing of Salem, BcU-
cheUor of Artt alto, about twenty yeart of age, went in a ship to the West Indies to instruct
the Seamen. He went by Newfoundland & so to Christophers, & Barbados, & Nevis, &
being requested to preach in all these places, he gave such content, as he had large offers
made to stay with them. But he continued in the ship to England, & being a very able
scholar, & of a ready wit & fluent utterance, he was soon taken notice of, & called to be a
preacher in Sir Thomas Fairfax his army, to Colonel Okye his regiment'* — Winthrop' t
Hist, of N.E., ii. 242-8. Sir George was bom, probably in Dublin, about 1624-6;
came to America with his father and mother in 1688; and was of the first class graduated
at Harvard College in 1642. He was British minister at the Hague, both under Cromwell
and under Charles II. ; by the latter of whom he was made a knight in 1660, and a baronet
in 1663. He died in 1684. — Kds.
1645.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 637
Madam Latours buisnesse,* considering that neither party
belonged to the country, that such security was profered,
the law of banishing for conscience, which makes us stinke
every wheare, the suffering ships to be taken in their har-
bours,f under commaund of their gunnes, seems very
strange, and do portend somthing to follow. God in his
mercy prevent it. I am sure in the Indyes they will not
suffer either party to offend the other, upon danger of
confiscation of all, and yet they haue suffered more from
either party than New England.
I hope you have received my letter by Mr. Young,
whearin, as neer as I am able, I have sett down the state
of the Indyes. We were there from the 12th of Feb : to
the 27th of July, in which, tim I endeavoured, as farr as I
was able, to understand the state of things in all kinds.
I was twice at the Barbados, thrice at Antegua, & many
times at Nevis, but most at Christophers, last at Santa
Cruce. If you go to Christophers, you shal see the ruins
of a flourishing place. The resons I might sett down,
but it would be too tedious. If you go to Barbados, you
shal see a flourishing Hand, many able men. I beleive
they have bought this year no lesse than a thousand Ne-
groes, and the more they buie, the better able they are to
buye, for in a yeare and halfe they will eame (with God's
blessing) as much as they cost If you go to Antegua,
you shall meet with a very understanding, courteous gen-
tleman. Captain Ashton, govemour of the Hand, with
whom I am intimate ; his love towards me was singular,
and I knowe he will be wondrous glade to see you, and to
give you any encouragement the Hand affoards. If you
go to Nevis, you shal meet with a discret man, Govemour
• See Winthrop'8 Hist of N.E., ii. IW, 196, 198. — Eds.
t Downing probably refers to the exploit of Capt Stagg, commander of a London
armed vessel, in taking a Bristol ship in Boston Harbor, as related in Winthrop's Hist, of
N.E., ii. 180-188. — Eds.
68
538 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1645.
Lake, who likewise was importunate with me to stay
there, and indeed, had I conjectured of your coming, I
should have stayed either ther or at Antegua.
We came from Christophers in company with an old
Flemmish vessell which belonged to the Hand: we sett
sayle about midnight : early in the morning shee sprange
a butt end of a planke in her runne, so they were fourst
to runne her a shoare upon Saba. So we took in som of
their company, with their Merchant, and carried them
downe to Sainta Cruce, where two English vessells were
riding which had then brought Major Reynoulds thither,
to be Governour.
This is a brave Hand, as bigge as the Barbados, as
healthy as any Hand in the Indyes. Ther were about
three hundred English, as many French, and a quantity of
Dutch ; the French had a fort ; the Dutch likwise had a
strong fort and a Governour, and the English lived under
Dutch ; so the Dutch and French did grievously (as the
English say) oppresse the English ; would not suffer any
English vessell to com and trade at the Hand : now the
land was first the Englishes ; whereupon they sett upon
the French with a fury, putt them to the worst, and sent
them all off the Hand. They sett likwise upon the Dutch,
tooke their fort, their Governour was kild with a wound,
and so they have now the whoole Hand in possession, and
have received a Governour. If this I[lan]d be well settled,
it will be of great consideration, espetially because tis so
neer the Spaniard. If you intend to see the Indyes, it
would not be convenieAt (as I thinke) to venter much till
you have seen it New England servants (I fear) will be
noon of the fittest for those parts.
The certainest commodityes you can carry for those parts
(I suppos) will be fish, as mackrill, basse, drye fish, beefe,
porke, if you can procure them at reasonable rates, and if
you be there in the Spring, its the best time, because the
fewest ships are there. Linnen cloath is a certaine com-
1645.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 639
modity, but that is deare in New England. We sould lin-
nen which cost lOrf.j the Portugal vare (which is within
two ynches of an English ell) for 121 de tob : or a pound of
endico the yard.
A man that will settle ther must looke to procure ser-
vants, which if you could gett out of England, for 6, or 8,
or 9 yeares time, onely paying their passages, or at the
most but som smale above, it would do very well, for so
therby you shall be able to doe somthing vpon a planta-
tion, and in short tim be able, with good husbandry ,*to
procure Negroes (the life of this place) out of the encrease
of your owne plantation.
I praye God in mercy direct you and blesse you, and let
your prayers go along with us, and I hope that if you un-
dertake that voyage, I may see you in the Indyes, for we
are now bound home, and shall goe neer in our return to
touch in the Indyes, and so for New England.
My humble duty to my unkle (whom I thinke unthank-
fuU New England is unworthy of) and my Aunt, my love
to my cosen Stephen and his wife, my cosen Adam and his
wife, my cosen Sam [tom] my brother and sister Stoddard,
goodman Child and his wife, Mr. Sheepheard, Mr. Pelham
and his wife, with all the rest of my good friend[s] to
whom (if it be God will) I wish all peace and prosperity,
and that God knitt their hearts together, which I fear will
hardly be done whil their government remaines so popular.
I am perswaded thers not the meanest of those 3 or foure
men they so tosse and tumble, but if chosen for life would
be able to mannage the affayres of the country far other-
wise than now : but with all the limit of freedomship I
believe must be sett a little wider.
Thus with my humble unfained love to your selfe, with
cosen your wife, my cosen John, my cosen Lucy and Eli-
zabet, I rest your truely obsequious cosen and servant
George Downing.
Newfoundland, aboard the ship in Caplin baye, Aug: 26. 1645.
640 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1647.
I heare ther are Strang reports concerning us in New
England ; som thinges tis true were amiss in the beginning
of the voyage, but they which with such aggravations sett
them forth were the greatest causes therof , and (my life
for it) he that shall man a ship with New England milke
sopps shall never speed better. Where authority is de-
based, an eare given to every prating fellow, ther shall
never reports be wanting. (God be thanked) we are yett
well, and if the Lord continue the same gracious hand
towards us, I hope the owners shall have no great cause to
complaine.
Sm GEORGE DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the WorahipfuLl his very good UnTde John Winthrop the Elder ^
Esquier, these. N.E,
Sir, — The very argument that hath all this while with-
held my penne, doth still presse upon me: only I am
affraid, that while I am so long musing on the hyghnesse
of the presumption of writing to yourselfe, just occasion
might seeme to be given of a worse construction of my
silence : and therfore I haue at last adventured, as rather
desiring to be accounted any thing, than unmindfull of the
duty nature hath commanded me to owe you, or unthanke-
fuU for the continued tract of favour from yourselfe while
I was in New England, and I wish I knewe upon what
heads to enlarge myselfe, so as might be most accepta-
ble. For the state of things heer, it hath been very vari-
ous, not only in the time of the warre, but more since : we
havmg since the sheathing of the swourd some times en-
joyed our lucide intervales, but then all hath quickly been
o'reclowded, that no mortall eye could in the face of things
see any thing but mine. The maine ground (as to
1647.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 541
«
humane causes) hath been the great divisions among us.
For while the common enemy was unsubdued, ther was
some kind of aggreement, all knowing that if he pre-
vayled, all without distinction should be swallowed up in
the common fate ; but when he beganne to be very low,
then every one bethinkes himselfe, what have I fought for
all this while, why haue I so deeply engaged my selfe in
this unnaturall warre ? Saith one, I fought and engaged
for the removing evill counsellours from the King, and
the settling his person in his just rights ; saith anothei% I
engaged for the establishment of presbitery, and pulling
downe Episcopacy; saith another, I fought against the
King, as conceiving him rather to act, than be acted of any
evill counsellours whatsoever ; another, he fought against
oppression in generall. So if any Church gouernment
tend to an oppression and enslaving the consciences of
men, so farre, saith he, I fought against it ; as Monorchy
may lye open to tyranny, so against it, if there bee any
laws that tend to it, or any courts whatsoever, as (saith he)
the Lords howse, they being not choosen by the people
(the foundation of true authority) but only sitting there
in their owne persons, and therfore (saith he) what reason
is there they should have any vote, at least in the legisla-
tive power of the kingdome ] Hence one cryes out, settle
church government, punish errours and blasphemyes, ac-
cording to the covenant; another, remember your often
declarations for liberty for tender consciences ; one, bring
home the King according to the covenant; another, it
cant stand with the preservation of the true religion and
liberty, etc. and thus for want of a downeright playne un-
derstanding of the foundation of this warre, without all
equivocation, we have been likely often to have been em-
broyled in a more bloody, and by our quarrellings to give
occasion to any third party to devoure all. To mention
particulars would be voluminous. I dowpt not but you
542 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1647.
heere of HoUis and that partyes hygh endeavours against
the army, and so all whose interest was that way ; of the
armyes almost vnparrallellable proceeds against them, how
neer this had brought us to blood, the Kings being taken
from Holmsby by some of the army, and how curiously
his party with himselfe had insinuated themselves into
them, so that indeed no man knewe what to say or do at
present, as I could hint at large in all partyes ; how the
King went of his owne accord from Hamptoncourt to
th^ He of Wight, of the Parliaments propositions to him,
with his answer to them, and the howses unexpected votes
thereupon, which with their declaration I have sent you,
with two more, one of which I desire my father may have,
and the other for Mr. Shepheard. That which is now in
acting is, the calling in question of those who were deep-
lyest engaged, in that fource upon the two howses, and
the promoting of a new warre therupon, and a declara-
tion about the Scots. That which is feered is a warre with
Scotland. What the issue will be the Lord only knowes,
only he seems to be shaking the great ones of the earth.
In Fraunce have lately been practises in this kind. The
story of Naples, with their successe, I suppose you have.
Pardon my boldnesse thus farr ; with my love and service to
all my cosens, my humble service to Mr. Cotton and Mr.
Wilson, Sir, I am your dutifull nephew
G. Downing.
Canonbury, Islingt: March: S: 47.
Sir Arthur Hezilridge (with whom I live) is appointed
Govemour of New Castle upon Tyne, (which as to the
present state of things, is the most considerable garrison in
the Kingdome) and I am suddainely to go with him thither.
The Lord graunt peace (if it be his will) betweene the
two kingdomes, which if so, I suppose we shall returne
againe to London ere the end of summer ; howeuer, what
1662.] THE WINTHROP PAFER8. 543
letters shall be sent to me, the safest way will be to direct
to be left at the three pidgeons in Wallbrooke, London.
Sir, If it shall ever lye in my power in any kind to serve
N.E. (to which I wishe very well) I hope I shall not be
unwilling.
SIR GEORGE DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
ffoT my honored .... John Winth\rop] .... London j these.
Deliver this to my sister Peters to be sent.
Sir, — I haue receiued yours of the 9th instant, and am
very glad to heere of your good health, & thank you for
your thoughts of my mother, but do not know how it is in
my power to do more or better for her than is, at present.
Shee is at my howse, not forty myles from London, in a
good place & as yet well. Shee hath two of my children
with her and hath the disposing of what is myne. For
yourselfe and yours, I wish you all happynesse ; & as for
myselfe I thank God for what I haue enjoyed, yet it fares
with me as with many others. I expect tis thought thrice
as much as I have got.
I am Sir your most aff : cosen & humb : seruant
G. Downing.
Hague, May 16. 1662. Old Style.
Indorsed, " Sir Georg : Downinge, 1662."
SIR GEORGE DOWNING TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
ffor my much honord Cosen John Wirdhrop Esq. London. These.
Sir, — I have receiued your very kind letter, for which
I heartily thank you. You did me a great honour to be
pleased to goe so farre to a dirty hoole to see my mother and
544 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1662.
children, & you may be sure that shee is not, nor shall not
be at command or finding of any seruant of myne, but on
the other hand dispose of them. For what you write of a
certayne earth there, which you think to be marie, I pray
in what field or ground was it digged 1 for I [am] much in
doupt I haue not any earth better than a claye there. I
pray my hearty loue and seruice to your good lady and all
my cosens ; I am sorry my cosen was so confined in time
that I could not shew him that kindnesse I would, and
wishing you a very good voyage and safe arrivall, re-
mayne
Sir, your most aff : cosen & humb : servant
G. Downing.
Hague, June 27, 1662, old style.
If you do write again to me, leaue it at my sister Peters,
& so it will come safe to me.
Indorsed, " Sir Georg Downinge, Rec : July 1 : 1662."
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 545
LETTERS OF SIR NATHANIEL BARNARDISTON .♦
SIR NATHANIEL BARNARDISTON TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To the Wbrship/uU his assured hueing ffreind John WirUhropp
Junior Esqr. in New England, these dd.
Good Mr. Winthrop, — Yours of the 12 of January I
receaued, & thanke you for your kind remembrance therin.
I sent to your frend Mr. Hopkines, to desyre hym to take
order for the transporting of your boy and mear to you,
who returned me answar that the boy he would prouide
for, (who I entend to send to you, if I cann, when I heare
from Mr. Hopkines agayne) but for the meare, the custum
for hir would cume to six poundes, besides all other
charges, and therfor was vn willing to medle with hir. I
intend therfor to sell hir for you, and returne the mony
for hir by hym about September next, God willing, if in
the meane tyme I heare not to the contrary from you. I
haue written to your father, which I intended to haue
done by you, but was prevented by your vnexpected
* Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston, knt, was High-Sheriff of SaffollL in the 28d of James I.;
and was three times retnmed to Parliament for the county, and onoe for the boroagh of
Sudbury. He was a zealous friend to the liberties of his country. His second son, Sir
Samuel, was the first person to whom the name of Roundhead was applied, (Rapin's
Hist, of Eng., vol. ii., p. 408, note 8). Sir Nathaniel died in 1658, and was the subject of
many monodies in English, Latin, and Greek, which were published in a pamphlet enti-
tled ^ SuffoIk*s Tears; or. Elegies on that Renowned Knight, Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston."
( Lives of Eminent and Remarkable Characters in Suffolk, Essex, and Norfolk, pp. 16, 16.)
Thomas Barnardiston, his great-nephew, married Mary Downing, sister of Sir George, who
entailed his whole estate on their son. This son, Serjeant Barnardiston, died without
issue in 1762 ; and the estates weut to the endowment of Downing College. The Bamar-
distons are still honorably ^epresented in Suffolk, where they have been seated for more
than twenty generations. Ketton (or Kedington) is not far ftt>m Haverhill. — Edb.
69
546 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
sodayn departure, whear in I pray you to excuse me to
hym. So desyring you to remember my best loue to hym
• & your mother, with Mr. Cotton,'Mr. Hooker, Mr. Wilson,
Mr. Welde, Mr. Ward, with the rest of our all good
frindes & acquaintances, beseeching them to pray for vs,
as we doe for [them,] wee all hear salute you, beseeching
the good Lord to be with you, & to prosper you in all your
wayes to his glorey. I rest
Your euer most assured loving frind
Nath : Barnardistom :
Ketton, Aprill 5th, 1636.
SIR NATHANIEL BARNARDISTON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Ih my most assured loving /rend John Winthrop Esqr. in New
England be these dd,
Deare Sir, — These few lines in hast are only to salut
you & yours, and to let you know that I shall neuer be vn-
mindfull of you in my best affectiones, as allso to certefy
you that I have receaued no letter from you or your sonn,
though I have written to you both by Mr. Clarke, a mini-
ster, who I understand is safely ariued with Mr. Rogers, as
allso of the boy which I sent you, who I desyre may giue
you good contentment. I expected to haue hard how you
would haue the mare disposed of, which, acording to your
appoyntmend, I gaue your sonn, whether to be sent you or
sould for your vse, and to whom you would haue the mony
payd. I haue yet kept hir, vntill I might know your deter-
mination therin, as I wrote to your sonn, & expected now
his answare. Blessed be our good God, we all heare inioy
our healthes in some competent manor, though accompened
with noe smale trobles, whear of I doubt not but you will
hear at large by others. It is the portion that the Lord hath
1639.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 547
ordayned for his in this life, who in his superabundant
goodnes tumeth all thinges to the best of his. Euen so be
it. So in the remembrance of myne and my wiues best &
intire loue to you and all our good frindes with you re-
membred, as if I should perticularly name them, I com-
mend you all to the blessed guidance of the Allmighty, and
rest
Your euer most assured loving frind & brother
Nath. Barnardiston.
Ketton this 4th of Aprill, 1637.
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop, " Sir Nath : Barndiston, Answ : "
SIR NATHANIEL BARNARDISTON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To my Honored and assured loving freind John Winthrop esqr
gouernor in New England present these,
D£AR£ Brother and intirely beloued, — I receaued
two letters from you the last retume : at that tyme it
pleased the Lord to visit me with a great & long sicknes,
to the great hasard of my life, but it pleased the Father of
Mercies and God of all Consolations to heare prayres, and
to rayse me from the gates of the graue, and to lend me
(most vnworthy) sume longer tyme the better to fitt my
selfe for Hym, and to try how farr that correction would
worke my vnruly & pointed hart to better obedience, and
frame it to improue the remaining talant of my tyme in
the glorifiing of Hys name, and adyan[c]ement of His
Honor, for which I euer desyre I may acknowledg with all
thankfuUnes, and bless and prayse His abundant free
grace and goodnes to me, and provocke all that know and
affect me to ioyne in assisting and helping me in the same,
which I humbly crane of you with confidence and assu-
548 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1639.
ranee. And now the Lord hath put me vpon a tryall, by
caling of me, with Sir Phillip Parker, (alltogether vn-
sought for) to serue for my countrey in the Parlament
which is to begin the 13th of Aprill next I haue nothing
to supporte me in this great busines, being contious to my
self of my most vnfitnes euery way, but the allsuffitience
of Hym that caled me cann inable me, who deliteth to
manifest His powre by contemtable & weake meanes. His
couenant & cale is the only supporter of my fayth hear in.
Help, I beseech you, Sir, with all the might and force you
can make, this great work ; which if it suckseed not well,
is like to proue exeding perrelous and dangerous to this
church & kingdome. Now we see and feele how much
we are weakned by the loss of those that are gonn from
vs, who should haue stood in the gapp, and haue wrought
and wrasled mightely in this great busines. My neighbor
Mr. Pepis desyreth me to present his loue to you. We
both thanke you for your loue to his sonnes. I knovlinot
yet how the Lord will dispose of me. This parlament
will beget a resolution in vs, but I fear; I could wish
sume of you wear hear before it endeth. Mr. Waldegraue
soiometh with me. I forget not you in your apoynted
tyme. I doubt not but you doe the like for vs. The
Lord hath made me a grandfather by my daughter. My son
is yet a single man. I often consceaue in my sleep that I
am with you. My self and wife salute you and Mrs.
Wintrope with our best aflfectiones, beseeching the Lord
to prosper you all in all your vndertakinges to His glorey.
Salut in the Lord all our dear frindes with you, as if I
named them in perticular. So resteth
Your most assured loving frend & brother,
Nath. Barnardiston.
Ketton, March 15th 1639.
Indorsed bj Gov. Winthrop, '^ Sir Nath : Bamardiston. Reap, per
the Sparrow, J Bradshawe &c"
1646.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 549
SIR NATHANIEL BARNARDISTON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
lb my much honored & highly esteemed good friend John Win-
thrope Esq. Oouemor in New England these present.
Deare Brother, — It is trew I must confess that this
is the thurd letter that I haue receaved from you scence you
had any from me, but it is as trew that I haue written to
you, and those that promised to cale for them fayled,
wherby they miscarried, wherby my debt of thankefullnes
is incresed that yet you would be mindfuU of so vnworthy
a friend, I hope now thorow my good friend Mr. Fenicke
to prevent that for the future.
I could not haue immagined that the remouall of that
that was the great impedment of Godlines among ts should
haue produced so bad an eflfect thorow libertey of con-
tieiriDe, espetially amongest those that would be esteemed
pious, to so great a breach of charitey & loue, euen to the
scome & contempt agaynest the most reuerent & zeolous
men of our devines, who cannot be taxed for any thing
but that thay differ in judgment from them in dissiplyne,
so that dissiplyne hath devoured all sinceritey, & oposis-
sion is now caled persecution. I am much amased, & it
often saddeth my soule to behould so litle loue, which was
wont to be the princepall badge of sayntes among vs, to
be disregarded and wholy neglected. I cannot but much
feare the euent of this great prouocation of the AUmightey.
This seede of pride & contention I conceaue had his first
beginning in your partes, the chang of the soyle hath vn-
hapily made it more spredding here by meeting with ciuill
discentions. Sir, I acknowledg myselfe a presbiterion (yet
such a one as can & doe hartely loue one humble & pious
independant, such I meane as are with you, for ours differ
much generally from them) only in this regard, in that I con-
ceaue it consisteth best with the constitution of our gouer-
550 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1646.
ment, & in that regard, if I weare with you, I should ioyne
with you, for truly I cannot yet see any certayne & gene-
rail set forme of dissipline set downe in the word of God
vniversally, if ther be, the Lord discouer yt to vs in his
good tyme. But Sir, with horror & greefe I speake it, noe
opineones & blasfemy is so bad, but that our Independantes
heer generally will shelter & countenance, for all heresyes
& sectes wilbe Independantes vnder this notion, that none
should be trebled for ther contience though hurtfuU to
others. If thay would keepe ther opiniones to themselues,
it would be the less preiudisiall, and this is the great cala-
mitey of our place & tymes, so that our differences euen
amonge those that would be estemed godly, & haue beene
so accounted formerly, is like to proue more dangeros to vs
then our ciuile warres. Deits dat his quoque finem.
I here Garton is vnder examination for his opiniones &
blasfemies. Your friend I haue not beene so happy yet to
see, to whom I shall indeuor to witnes my respectes to^ou.
I yet Hue vnder hope to see you here once agayne, & most
hartely desyre it. The Lord grant it if it be his will. All
your friendes hear of my aquaintance are well, but only
Sir Wm. Spring, whome I feare is not of long continuance.
My selfe & wife, & all myne hear present our best affec-
tiones to your self & wife, & all our friendes with you.
The good Lord be our guide & director thorow this our
pilgramage here, so as we may not fayle to inioy glory to-
gether hereafter, which is the indeuor & prayre of
Your most affectionat loving friend & brother
Nath: Barnardiston.
W£STMIN8TEB, March 19th 1646.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 551
LETTERS OF SIR WILLIAM SPRING.*
SIR WILLIAM SPRING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To my Euer Honored ^/aythfuUy Bdotied ffreind John Winthup
Esqr, aU his house aU Boston in New England.
Most beloued & still honored Ffreinde & Bro-
ther, — Itt is your charrety & not my words that I rely
vppon for my fayrest & best excuse of my seeming neglect
& faylings of the dues of loue, yett that you may not bee
vnknowing of truths, giue mee leaue to tell you, I haue, I
verely suppose, much ill happ for some of my letters & re-
membrances sent vnto you, for else I know, in your last I
had from you, I should haue found mention of theire
ariuall, seeing they had surely bin with you long before
the date of yours to mee, if I could haue hope that you
had them att all. But my last I hope better of, sent by my
cossin Gurdon, that they haue saluted you, & still lett you
know how desirous I am to Hue in your brest, & hould the
place I had wont. Though I could justly complaine of
some accidents that (full ill against my will & hope) might
in some construction render mee less deserving your con-
tinuing goode opinion then I hope I deserue : but I
* Sir William Spring was a knight of the shire in ParKainent with Sir Nathaniel Bar-
nardiston in 1628. He died, according to a letter of Sir Simonds D*Ewef, in 1688; and it
was probably his son who was created a baronet in 1641. Pakenham, the family seat
from which he dates, is in Suffolk County, not far from Bnry SL Edmand*s. He was of the
family of Thomas Spring, the rich clothier of L^venham. Gov. Winthrop*s parting letter
to Sir William in 1630 is in vol. ix. of oar Collections, third series, p. 227 ; and proves
Chat their relations had been of the moat oonfldential and affectionate character. — Eds.
552 THB WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
avoyde those thoughts that may any wayes mooue mee to
a jelousy of tiiat loue I soe much couett. These lines
come now by a meanes which my Brother Bam:* (now
with mee) hath found out, but my time of warning is verry
short & difficult for my enlargment, yett such times &
oportuneties are soe scarse, as I may not nor will willingly
pretermitt any that I cann lay hould of. Neyther is the
time with vs heere soe free & sure to vs, as that I dare
write you what I think & would you knew, neyther doe I
euer expect a time for itt till wee meete in the hauen after
our storms are passed. You that are vnder lee I hope
forgett vs not that are yett in the storme, nor wee you (as
wee may) for the encrease of Gods blessings. For my par-
ticuler, you want not a constant memory in my vnworthy
servises. I would I were as able as desirous to enlarge my
hart to you. As touching your mention of my kinsman &
his estate, I haue I hope before this time satisfied you, how
my affections & abilities stand inclined towards him,
though happely soe farr short of his expectation (I am
sure of his demands), as that I cann hardly beleeue I haue
any way satisfied him. My cosin Gurdon did vndertake to
retume a token for mee towards him, when I neyther had
the liberty to write to him nor your selfe : I could much
complaine of my ill success with him, in that (hauing dis-
burst euen that which I assure you I haue since wanted
for neerer occasions, & to which I am more bound) I haue
giuen him or my selfe eyther soe little comfort or content
in itt, as that I reape noe fruites but lamentable complayn-
ings, immoderate demands, & some vnkinde expostula-
tions, & in generall, giues mee cause to judg that nothing
I eyther haue done or cann doe, is inough, or to any pur-
pose. Itt almost discoraged mee for altogether, seeing
hee writes to mee as if I had none else to respect, or att
least not as to one that would bee, (as heeretofore) free
* Barnardiston. — Eds.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 553
«
in my charety, if I did not plainly foresee, that except I
doe prejudice my selfe, & my neerer duties & occasions,
(which are farr otherwise then hee conceyues of mee) I
cannot come neere the 100 part almost of his requirings.
Hee, poore man, is ignorant of our condition generally, &
mme in particuler heere now : and minding himselfe only,
forgetts his freind & his first terms & promises with mee,
when, could I haue prevayled, I had stayd him vntill his
strength might haue hin hotter to vndertake what hee
would attempt too headily, & wherein (without my then
forwardnes in a way beyond ordenary & his owne expecta-
tion) hee had fayled of all hee aymde att But I haue writt
a few lines to him, & sent them heereinclosed, presuming
of your fauor to lett them bee deliuered to him, wherein I
forbeare these particulers purposely, for I desire rather to
pitty him then provoke him ; what I would haue done for
releife this spring I profess I could not, for meanes I could
learne none to send by, nor now more then this letter. I
hope amongst other you finde mee in the matter of seade
you writt for, God prosper itt. I cann now noe more;
both for paper & time. Ynto that God that disposeth all
things by his Will & Wisdome, & that to the best for
those hee loueth, you are dayly commended, & entreated
to commend Your faythfuU frend & brother
Wllm : Spri :
To yourselfe & all & euery of yours, I hartely tender
my best affections : farewell, farewell.
Aprill 16th 1636. From [Pa]kenham yett
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop, " Sir Wm : Springe. Reed this by Mr.
Babbets ship."
70
654 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
Sm WILLIAM SPRING TO JOHN ^VINTHROP.
GooDE CosiN, — I thank you hartely for this your
courtesy of sending these letters, & all other your goode
wishes & afifections expressed to mee & mine : yett this
your letter comes to mee att such a time, as I assure you
I am scarse fitt or att leysure to retume them soe decent
& fitt an answer as I would, for though I am, I prayse
God, reasonable well, yett att the instant I am in a phisi-
call vndertaking, which will not permitt mee hardly this
liberty, but vtterly denies mee any farther to enlarge my-
selfe to you or to our deere frend in New 'England as I
desire, touching whome (I perceyue by the hast of this
retume, now sudden, & heeretofore vnknowne to mee)
I cannot (as the case is now with mee) write to him as I
would, & were most fitt ; I shall pray you therefore to lett
him know my honest and just reasons & excuse heerein
written to you, and withall, whereas I perceyue hee hath
farr beyond that proportion (which by you I did signifie I.
was content to bestow on my kinsman) disburst neere 20K,
but in certainty I yett know not what, though I confess,
considering my former disbursments, & soe many charges
as I dayly meete with, amongst others of his kinred &
mine that must haue releife from mee, I finde my selfe in
those charges to haue runne a higher streyne then my
owne priuate cares & necessary occasion will well allowe,
yett when I know what my goode ffireind hath certeinly
disburst (as I expect by his promise shortly to bee in-
formed, by a letter from himselfe) I will take order that
hee shalbee noe looser for his disbursments past, hoping
that (as hee sayth) that debt beeing payd, hee will subsist
of himselfe, who I assure you hath cost mee deepe, and
to whome (considering the many more that dayly draw
from mee) I am not able to doe more. In the meane
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 555
time, vntill I receyue particuler information of what itt is,
espetially att this extreamc sudden, I cannot tell what to
send. I haue receyued Mr. Downing's receipt of 5/* dis-
bursed by you for mee towards the seade, which 5li I
send you heere by your seruant, reseruing the note of re-
ceipt I should be gladd to see or heere of the receipt of
our disbursment in New England, whether I pray commend
mee most hartely to our deere & worthy freind, & acquaint
him fully with the perticulers of this letter, on my behalfe,
& excuse for not writing now to him, which is to mee att
this time impossible ; and pray him to lett mee enjoy his
loue & promise to write perticulerly to mee next time, and
I shall (if God please) apply my selfe to his satisfaction.
Forgett not, I agen & agen entreate you, to signifie these
things to him ; nor to continue your loue & prayers for &
vnto Your faythfull ffreind & louing cosin
Wllm: Spring.
Pakenham, 29 of August, 1636 :
My wife with mee retume our true loues to you & my
cosin, & all yours, & doe commend you all to the goode
mercies of God, as wee desire the like from you att all
goode times.
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop, " Sir Wm Springe, Answ : "
SIR WILLIAM SPRING TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To my singiderly esteemed dt %joorthdy bdoued ffreind John Win-
throp Esquier att Boston in New England these.
Most worthely esteemed beloued Ffreind & deere
Brother, — Were I as conscious of any willfull neglect of
your loue & my due remembrance of itt, & necessary salu-
tations or expressions of this kinde as I am of defect in
all (though not voluntary), I should in a kinde of de
556 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
spayre wholly forbeare to putt you in minde of soe
vnworthy a ffrend, but my hart is vpright with you,
though my hand hath neyther bin able to seme my affec-
tions nor your merritts, in presenting you with requisite
circomstances of assurance, that itt is soe : ffor not only
meanes (or at least the timely knowledg of itt) hath too
often beene wanting & preventing to my purposes, but,
when they haue bin more free & fauorable, I haue wanted
power to make vse of them. About New yeere last, I
receyued a kind & louing letter from you by one Betts (as
I remember) who came hether att a time when I had suf-
fred a fortnights extreamitie before, & was att first not
able to see him, or to think of any buisines ; yett before
hee went away, I came downe a part of the day, and as
company & my infirmities would suffer mee, had a little
speech with him, who (then hasting away & promising
to come to mee att more conveniency) I hoped should
haue bin the meanes of my sending to you, & my coss :
JTo : Spring alsoe. Hee came agen indeede, when I was
vtterly vnable to doe or take thought for any thing that
way, for itt pleased God for 14 weekes I was in expect-
ance of my passage to my last port ; since I am in a crazie,
vncerteine condition, neuer well, though not soe weake as
I was; this lost mee the hope of that conveyance, the
man telling mee hee was to goe to & by London back to
you : I had little meanes (by my sicknes & trobles continu-
ing) to heare or enquire of any other course, but att our
last Assises, where with much adoe I forst my selfe one
day, I mett my coss. Gurdon, who promised to send my
letter to you, which now I hope you haue, testefieng
my true loue to you, & by you entreating to haue my just
excuse for not satisfieng the still important & large re-
quests of my kinsman, to whome I haue made bould with
you to enclose this letter. Truly, Sir, the summe &
charge I haue bin att to this man is not after the due pro-
portion & regard I ought to beare to my owne affayres,
1636.] THE WINTHROP FAFEB8. 667
& more neere duties, yett what I haue done hath not bin
grudgingly, nor with a scant hand, I assure you. I beleeue
in true account which (perhaps) hee considers not duely,
more then true charrety (which is to looke home first) or
right wisdome would commend, & I cannot nor may not
prejudice my neerer requisites too much. I haue lately
married my sonne, & abated my meanes largely, I cannot,
nor (haue not to) doe as formerly, my owne necessary
course & children require mee instantly to my vtmost, &
mine owne particuler (as noe less the generall) burthens
grow heauy to my present strength ; besides charrety had
neuer soe many objects (that may not bee neglected)
amongst vs, honest & good men, abundance & in abun-
dant wants; dayly somewhat issueth soe from mee &
others, & must doe; & other poore kinred I haue too,
too many, that dayly call for helpe, & must haue itt. I
profess I neuer was streightned before. This Sir, for your
satisfaction, that I am not vnmindefull, but vnable (for the
present att least) to satisfie him, & I pray you make him
sensible of the equitie & reason of itt, if you conceyue
itt soe, & if hee contentfully accept of what I haue
done, as God shall enable & enlarge mee heereafter, I
shall not forgett him, but I desire hee spare mee yett.
I could not heare, by Betts or other, of any shipps goe-
ing by Ipswich, whether else I had sent something to
this purpose, but lately, & now too late, as I am tould ; I
heare some goe or are gone. I perceyue by the lettre
that you haue, for the releife of this kinsman of mine,
disbursed some summe, but what you express not, nor
haue I had one word to certefie mee thereof from him.
What you haue done for my sake, & hee hath not nor can
satisfie agen, I will not that you loose, but desire you will
certefie mee what itt is, & I will not fayle (if God please)
to satisfie you when I know itt : soe as hee sees I neglect
not to doe for him still more, though in all he requires &
as hee would, I cannot Truly, such is my condition att
558 THE WINTHROF PAPERS. [1636.
this present, as I haue much adoe to hould out thus farr
in this labor, still so weake & vnseruiseable I am to my
selfe : I must craue fauor to make goode all present de-
fects, & your goode beleife that I haue a will, though att
present streightned & prevented, to giue you larger assu-
rance & better testemony of my faythfull affections. Your
charrety without asking, affords me, I am confident, the
benefitt of your prayers, yett I craue them alsoe, & by
your meanes euen to bee remembred amongst you, as I
dayly in my poore way remember you all. Salute all
I know particulerly, I beseech you, that are with you,
with my harty loue & best desires of goode : and think of
mee still the .thoughts of a loving ffrend. The less I de-
serue itt, the greater goode itt is in you, & the reward shal-
bee to your owne bosome, whether I desire to convey my-
selfe, & to line there, as wee may to hir alsoe that ownes
that place spetially, my wife & I commend vs, & to all
yours, & hartely commend you all to Gods goodenes &
grace.
Your vnfeyned louing ffreind & faythfully affected
brother Wllm: Spring.
Pakenham, Mar: j"*: 1636.
What my kinsman hath formerly charged you, & can-
not himselfe discharg, I pray signifie, & I shall take care
for itt. But yett I must entreate him to spare mee, for
my more necessary care & cost command my first re-
spects, & soe after times (if God lend mee life) may afford
more liberty & remembrance of him that way.
1636.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 559
LETTERS OF BRAMPTON GURDON .♦
BRAMPTON GURDON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To my muche honerred /rend Mr, JAon Werdhrop at Boston in
Neu England, he thea I pray.
My WORTHY GOOD Frind, — I hauc resayued your let-
ter of the 24 of Jeun. I reioyes to hear of Godes mersy
expressed to your plantatyon in generall & to yow &
yowers in the perticuler I thancke you for your care of
my sonn, I hoped his passing by see & then the cheng
of ayer would haue so changed his weacke body to a more
abule body for the performans of that which his years &
statuer mought exspect. I haue before now found fault
with him for his so bad writeng, but I now impeut it to
the weackenes of his joyentes, so as he is not abule
to gyed his pen as heartofore. He writ better 4 years past
then he doo now. I doo perswad him to put himselff to
soum suche exersyes as may infors his sweatteng, the
which I thincke should be especyally good for him, as I
now fyend his condecyon, I may fear he is to burdensoum
to you, but by Godes helpe I am verry welling to macke
good any thing for his charge as you shall desyer. Sir,
* Brampton Gurdon, Esq., was High-sheriff of Suffolk Coanty in 1628. Mr. Savage
tells us, in his " Notes on former Gleanings '* (Mass. Hist Coll., 8d series, vol. x. p. 181),
that ** he had been made sheriff of the conntj by the king, to pnnish bis Puritanical
affections, in preventing thereby his election to Parliament as one of the knights of the
shire.'* His daughter married a son of Sir Richard Saltonstall. He was a near neighbor
of Gov. Winthrop's (while he was at Groton), and an intimate friend; residing at Assington,
where his desceadaats are still left. — Eds.
560 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636,
scins I resayued your letter I went to Jhon Brand, &
found his sonn Joseff with him, for so I desyred. When I
had sheued Joseff your not of the perticeuler layenges out,
& the not of the goodes scent his brother Beniamen, he tould
me he could say nothing till he had loked in his bocke at
London, [^m] as he tould me he should be gone thether,
& after he had veued his bocke he would writ to you.
I shall not slack to put him in mind to geu satisfaccyon. I
scent my sonn Brampton to my cosen Ryes to acquayent
him as yow desyred. Vpon Saterday last I reca[y]ued a
letter from Jarmen Pyen which informed me a ship was to
goe doun to Grauesend the later end of this wecke, that
is goeng for New England, which caused me to hast a man
to Sir W. Spring to acquayent him so muche as consemed
him in your letter. His answer is in desyreng me to
exceus him to yow, but I am contented to scend you his
owen lette[r], the which may gene you the best satisfac-
cyon. He is now in parly, & I hope it is concleuded for
a mache with his sonn & Sir Hamund Strange's dafter.
He is to haue 4000/ at the lest, with a hansome, well bred
gentel woman. It hathe faulne out verry hard with the shipe
whear in Mr. Nathaniel Rogers* imbarked himselff, his
wiff who locke for at the end of 7bur, 4 children, & 3 other
pore fameles out of this towen ; won is Robinson that lined
in Litle Waldenfeld, with his wiff & 6 children ; they went
abord at Grauesend the furst of Jeuen, & haue euer scins
ben houareng to the He of Wite, & this day Mris Crane,
their scister, & Mris Rogers mother in law tould me her
husband Tiad a letter from them from Plimworth, writ on
Saterday scenight. This will fall exceding heui to dyuers
in the ship who had mad som prouicyon for thear liuely-
hod in New England. Thay will be inforsed to spe[nd]
it before thay goe, & all for want of a constant Est wind.
* Rev. Nathaniel Rogers arriyed in New England, 17th October, 1686; which decides the
date of this letter. Wwihrqiri HUtory of N.K, i. 206. — Eds.
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 561
Thay haue had the wind for a day or 2, & then brought
backe agayen. Thay haue had dyuers feruent prayers to "
geue them a good wind, but the tyem is not yet coum for
God to haue the prayes of it. My sonn Saltonstall doo
dayly expect his coummeng. I haue not time now to writ
it to him whot this day I hard, I pray thearfore doo him
word of it : & thus praying God to kep vs in His treu fear,
with my wifFes & my best respect to [you &] to Mris Win-
throp in all treu affeccyon remembred, I rest
Your euer asseured louing frend
Brampton Gordon.
AssiNGTON this 30 of August.
I sheued Sir Nathanyele your remembring of him.
BRAMPTON GURDON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
lb my muche honored /rend Jhon Wenihrop Esquer geu thes at
Boston in New England.
My worthy good Frend, — The last leter that I haue
resayued from you being 24 o^ Jeuen 1636, I was then
glad thearby to hear of your good helthe, with all yowers,
& so I hope God still continue the same, to his glorry. I
would I could writ you anithing licke to geue commfort
to eny honest Engleshe myend, for good to churche or
comonwelthe ; the hed is scick & all the memburs out of
frame. We haue a trayter, a naybur, discouerred, the eldest
sonn of the Lorde Skinner of Lanham parck, a papest if
anithing, a notorius swagerer. When he was in an al-
hous with Tom Dande, Sir Gorge Waldegraus lat clarck,
(Sir Gorg dyed the sabothe before our twelft scessyons)
he eused this spech ; I haue spent my forteunes, & I will
goo to Romm, but I would doo sommwhot that I mought
be spocke of after we are ded, & after this he expressed
71
562 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
his desyer to kile the kmg ; he had the licke speche to
Harry Copenger, the dockters brother, & thes 2 are his
sceuerrall acceusers. I will now informe you of 3 of
our newconformetans in this dyosses ; ther is won Briges,
ceurat to Mr. Legat, at Bamam Brome near Norwich ; he
had begot his moters mayed with child, who descouerring
so muche, & bewayleng her selff to him, he aduised her to
be content & scylent, & to met him next morning in a
feld, which it seem is within the libertis of the scitte, she
prepared to do as he dyrected her, but agenst his direc-
' cyon she tould a sister that she was to goo she knew not
whether : the sister desyred to goo with her, till she should
tacke hors; the currat comming & seeing 2 wemen, he
would not rid to them but returned, & indeuerred in the
euneng to speacke with her, blameng her that she had
acquayented any with her jumy ; she exceused & sayed it
was to her scister, then he charged her not to speacke a
word to any, but to met him the next morning ; & that fore
none she was found ded in the plas, & as is judgged
strangled with her apern string, the which lay a rod from
her body. It is sayed a shepperd ded see them thear to-
gether, yet he deny the murther, but confes he got her
with child ; it is sayed that soumbody had had the cues of
her a litele before or alter her stranglin. We had won
parson Fockes of Erles Some & another parrish thear near,
he had scet vp a fram of a hous vpon ground he pre-
tended right vnto, but his aduersary Starling hired won to
disquiet his buldeng, who with a hachet endeuerred to
beat out the vnder beamms, the parson hearing him, he
& his man cam feuryously, the on with a pichforcke, & the
man with a hege stack, mad him to run. They purseued
him, & ouertocke him, he strocke him aboue the forhed
with the pichforcke, which forsed out part of his bray ens,
& after camm the man, & gaue him a blou with the stack,
but not so mortale. The crouners quest found this man-
slauter, & hear upon they had thear tryale, & allthoughe
1637.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 563
thear apered muche males befor, yet thay wear conuict
only of manslauter. This tryall was this lent assyses be-
fore Justes Crock, & thear atended our 2 reuerent docters
Godde & Warren; the parson was tried withought the
gayele, the master had his preuileg of presthod, & thear-
fore had noe clargy tendred to him, so escaped burning :
the man now leget but repryued for his pardon. This
man at his tryall tocke the fact vpon him, in hop, as was
thought, that his master would purchas his pardon.
The 3 mongst haue ben this. Mr. Daulton minester at
Woluerston being this somer won of the 60 reuerent men,
he & Mr. Stansby depryved, the other suspended, as you
shall hear. Bishop Wren perceued won Cole the ceurat at
St. Mary Kye in Ipswich, vnder Mr. Sameuell Ward, & as
is knouen he the cheff persceceuter of him in hye commi-
cyon, for recompens of his sceruis he ingeniyously pro-
ceured him into this liueng. This Cole bearryeng muche
mallis to Mr. Dalton, & to all his family, who had built
him a smale houes heartofore near his parsonag; Mr.
Dalton's kow would breacke into the glebe whear she had
formerly had intertayenment, his mayed seeing her masters
cowe in the glebe, ran to feche her ought Cole seeing
her, he rid to her & with a krabtre cogele beat her so, as
for a month all thought she would not hav eskaped with
lyeff. Our tyem plesing clargy grow exscedeng bould,
thay haue wind & tyed with them, & littele or no gras to
stay thear rage. God in mersy stay thear rage. Sir, as
conscearning my sonn Edmund, I neuer ment he should
be burddensoum to yow, & so I writ to yow, & I gaue that
order to my sonn & dafter Saltonstall, I mad account when
they went that I had monis coumming to me for clothe
that I scent by Mr. Dellingan, I must tele you, I ded
maruell when it was furst writ to me that yow had vnder-
taken him, that yow wear to haue the profit of his 2 bul-
locks, which wear licke to yeld no profet but charg till the
spring foUoweng, only I hoped you ded geue him soum
564 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1637.
imployment to helpe toward his charg. Good Sir, I sethen
as I resayued your letter, gaue order to pay 201 to Mr.
Douneng, as the letter dyrected me, & shall wellingly yeld
you whot more yow desyer, & so I haue geuen order to
my sonn Saltonstall. I haue had a purpos of haueng
the boy to returne only in this regard, he haue a copy-
hould tenement houlden of Do. Warrens parsonage at
Melford, the boy shall if he liu to mid 7bur, be 21 years
of age, I would haue him scele it, & then returne if God
will, in the spring. I should be glad to fyend him met to
maneg the stocke that I desyer to bestow vpon him, it may
be 5 or 600/, I shall be glad to be aduised for the best
conscedring his weack capasyte for the orderring of it
We are scorry to hear of your & Mrs. Wenthropes late
callamyte, but we hope God will restore yow dobule
coumfort, & thus with the remembrans of my wiflfes &
my treu loue to yow, your wiffe, & to all the branchis, I
pray God to kep vs, resteng
Your euer asseured louing frend Brampton Gurdon.
Thear is a howes in Boxford now shet vp for the infec-
cyon of the plage.
I latly doo hear that your aunt Winthrop who liued in
Suthworck is latly dede. I had allmost forgot to let yow
vnderstand that on teuesday the 28 of Marche I met at
Beury Sir W. Spring ; he asked how to scend a letter to
you. He promised to scend me a letter by 8 next morn-
ing, but ded not. He then, as allso at our Assyses, desyred
me to desyer you from him to stay your hand in yeldeng
so muche to his kinsman as heartofore. I fyend his desyer
is to cut of his yearly mayentenans, aleggeng whot he haue
don for him & other licke charges, that he in other plases
goo thorou with. He haue ben in a great scickenes, that
haue muche w^asted his body. He haue latly marryed
his sonn to Sir Hamund Strai^ges dafter.
APEELE llth, 1637.
1640.] THE WINTHKOP PAPERS. 565
BRAMPTON GURDON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To my worthy good /rend Mr, Winthrop the Gouernor in New
England be thes.
GuNFORD, this 13 of May 1640.
My worthy good Frend, — Your letters writ in the
begeneng of Marc[h] wear verry welcoum to me, but I
asseuer you I was muche taken with sorrow for your great
losse thearin expressed, but that is not enoff, except we
doo extend boueles of corapacyon to a destressed frend, for
which I am verry redy to joyen with any in so Christyan a
deuty. Su' Nathaniele Barnston & I haue had often
speche about it, we are bothe willing ayther to geu or to
lend a greatter somm, only we would be glad to haue
soum frend hear to vndertacke for the repayment at a
year or 2 year if yow so desyer it. I haue had speche
about this with your scearuant Tinker, he put vs in hope
that your brother Tindall will doe it for you, the which
if he will I shall wellingly lend 100/, now Sir Nathaniele
would willingly vnderstand which wear the best for yow,
to lend or to geue. We cannot thinck to hear from
you so sone, as your necessyte m[a]y requyer soum more
spedy cors, thearfore, I resolue thus, I will now deliuer
to your scearuant 10/ for him to employ to your ewes till
I hear further whot is your desyer. If you desyer by
way of geft rather then to lend, I shall be welling to
returne you 10/ more, bothe of geft, or to lend you a 100/,
hauing sceceuryte to repay it at a year, or for longer tyem.
We are hear in verry hard condicyon in regard our
parlament is desolued, but let me tele you it comforteth
the hartes of the honest men of bothe housen that thay
yelded not to geue a pene to help the King in his intended
ware agenst the Skottes, nor the cortyers of the hous
durst not moue to conscyder whether to haue ware or
peas, but the King fy ending the hous was bent for peas,
566 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1640.
as not seeing any cans of war, he desolued the Tious.
The King scent erly in the morning to speacke with the
speker; when he was coum to him he tocke him into
his barg & carryed him in to the vpper hous to make
sceuer he should not goo into the nether hous to preuent
the howes from protestyeng agenst the ware, ship mony,
& conduct mony, which greu burdensoum all the king-
doum oner. On teuesday the 5 of this, the parlament
was dissolued; the next morning on of the Scecretaris
cam to the Lord Brockes hous thear by the Lord Say, &
scearched bothe thear stodyes, & lickewis others went
& scearched Mr. Jhon Hamden, Mr. Pem, & Sir Walter
Earles closet. Sir Water was abrod when thay cam. Thay
tocke away a trunc[k] from Mr. Pim, thinkeng thear had
ben that thay sent for, but it proved aparrele.
I doo not hear thay haue gayned thear payens. On
weddensday in the eueninng, a messenger cam with a
Scecretaris leter to Miles Corbetes chambur, warneng him
with sped to repayer to him, & to bring all papurs that he
had resayued. Miles was called to the chayer, for matter
conseming religyon, & thear cam many biles agenst B,
Wren; he apered, & cam well off. You shall hear of
wors doinges, & so I pray God to kep vs in pes. Good
Sir, pray for vs hear in ould England. I pray commend
me to your selff & wiff.
I rest your louing frend B. Gordon.
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop, "Mr. Br: Gurdon. Resp. per the
Sparrow."
1645.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 567
BRAMPTON GURDON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
[To] my worthy goodfrend [J]ohn Wenthrup Esqure at Boston
in New England be thes I pray.
My WORTHY GOOD Frind, — It was this wecke before
I resayued your letter to me, with your letter to my wife,
for bothe which we acknowledg ourselues muche behould-
ing to yow. I bles God who stile contenues me aliue.
Thes distracted times occasions of much beusines to
them that are in plas to reforme. I thancke God who
assists me in it. I haue brout Babur ♦ hundred to that pas
as thear are not aboue 2 lisensed alhouses in all the hun-
dred, yet to many picher housen, for which I doo my
indeuer to ponishe suche as can be proued to me so to be.
Sir, I now thincke to let you vnderstand of a difFerans
betwixt the tounsmen of Groton & Boxford, the diffrans
abut the extent of the prist fild belongeng to Payton Hall,
& lye from the pound toward Payton HaulL Boxford alou
Groton but 10 akers, & Groton challeng 20 akers. Now
this sayes Ro. Golston, that he in the tyem he sarued
yow, & attending yow along by that fild, yow fownd fault
with the ploueing vp of a mear that parted the bounds of
the touns, by which mens the minester of Groton lost a
good part of tithe, & Tom. Goslin say he had hard Mr.
Nicolsonn say he was ould & not welleng to goo to lawe,
but in the men time he suffred the wrong. Now the farmer
suffer, who is now charged in Groton for 20 akers, & Box-
ford alou but 10. Now if you doo remembur the wrong
in plowing vp the mere as Golston report, I pray writ your
best remembrans, it may be a mens to rectyfy this deffrans.
The land was Sir Ro. Crans when he lined. I hau no
• Babergh. — Eds.
568 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1649.
tyem to inlarg at this tyem, only I desyer yow to accep the
return of myen & my wifes trew loue to you & to Mris
Wenthrup. t^pray God to kep vs now & euer, & so I rest
Your euer asseured frend Brampton Gurdon.
AssiNGTON, this 12 of Aprele, 1645.
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop, " Mr. Gurdon, Rec. per Mr . . ."
BRAMPTON GURDON TO JOHN WINTHROP.
ffoT my wortJiy good ffreind Mr, John Winthrop be these att
Boston in New England,
My WORTHY GOOD OLD Ffreind, — I havo not long
since received two lettres from you which adde much
comfort to my life. I am very glad to heare of your
health, & to see your ability so to write. Age much im-
paires both my sight & heareing, which enforceth mee
thus to make vse of helpe^.* God hath vouchsafed mee a
long pilgrimage in this world. God enable mee to stand
out His tyme to His glory & my comfort. Yf God spares
mee but an other month I shall be 83 yeares of age.
Heere goes some speech of a New England couple that
lately came from thence, the husband first, and then the
wife followed after, with what goods shee could gett
together, but wee heare all her goods miscarryed, & shee
escaped only with her life. The man was Canes sonne,
a cloake seller in Birching Lane, whose mother was Mr.
Willsons sister. The woman is returned to New England
& resolves there to take another husband ; I hope your
* This letter was written by an amanuensis, and is dated more than two mouths after
the death of Gov. Winthrop. It was opened bj John Winthrop, Jr., and indorsed, ** Mr.
Gurdon, 1649, to mv father." — Eds.
1649.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 669
lawes will not tollerate such wicked actions. My daughter
Saltonstal hath laboured to add lading to a ship with Cur-
rantoes out of this countrey, which will afford you more
intelligence then I am able to write. I pray remember
my best respects to Mr» Cotton, Mr. Willson, & to your
selfe, with all yours. And so I pray God to keepe vs all
in His feare & favour, resting
Your very louing frind Brampton Gurdon.
AssiNOTON this 6th of June, 1649.
72
670 THE WINTHBOP PAPERS. [1636.
LETTERS OF ABRAHAM SHURT*
ABRAHAM SHURT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the Wdrshipfull John Wtnthrope Esquire at Boston. Become
e[w]cfec? to a /reinds conveyance.
Pemaquid, the 28th of June 1636.
WoRSHiPFULL, — My dutye remembred with my prayers
for your health, ettc. Sir, some 10 dayes past I wrote you
by Mr. Allerton to which I referr me. Now you may be
pleased to take notice that Richard Foxwill, cominge from
the French at Pennobscott, spake with a boate of ours
(draylinge for mackrell) & tould them that Wm : Hart had
him comended vnto me, & that I should looke to my selfe,
for that the French were gone to the Eastwards to fetch
more helpe to take this plantation & others, & that they
had left but five men at Pen : & withall that he had an
English heart although he were with them : wishinge his
* Abraham Shurt, styled by the late Mr. Nathaniel I. Bowditch (the highest authority
on snch a subject) " the Father of American Conyeyancing/* and to whose memory Mr.
Bowditch dedicated his ** SufTolk Surnames/' was one of the first settlers at Pemaquid.
As agent of the proprietors, he had purchased the Island of Monhegan ; and appears, from
his own deposition, to have acted as a magistrate in 1626. Winthrop relates, that in Sep-
tember, 1631, he " sent home James Sagamore*s wife, who bad been taken away at the
surprise at Agawam.** In June, 1682, he narrowly escaped death in the destruction ot
bis shallop by the explosion of a barrel of powder near ** Pascataqnack." A person of the
same name appears to have been town-clerk at Pemaquid in 1688. His name is sometimes
written by others Shurd, and sometimes Short Winihrcp*t Bi$L of N,E,, i. 61, 79; Hi/.
UanwnCt But. of Maine, i. 242 ; Savage'i Gental Diet — Eds.
1638.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 571
freedom from them ; & that he knowes a meanes to take
Pennobscott with five men without losse of bloud. This
the master & purser of our shippe tould me : cominge
hither for my lettres for England. Here comes natives
from thence & sayes that they will remoue to some other
parts, they are soe abused by them. Me seemes they
should not leaue such a small crew at home, neyther
blason their intents. It is lamentable that a handfull
should insult ower a multitude. We must feare the worst,
& strive our best to withstand them. They wrote vnto me
of desired freindship & amitye, with mutuall correspond-
ence : & they pretended the same at their beinge here :
A Franciscan flfryar insinuatinge vnto me that Mr. Coman-
der & Mr. Donye desired nothinge but fayre passages be-
twixt vs, & that he was sent purposely to signifie so much
vnto me. This is the relation that I heare from them,
which I conceive you would willingly be acquainted with-
all. I haue not elce to inlarge, at present, doe comitt you
& your affayres to the guydance of the Almightye.
Your Worships in all service
Abraham Shurt.
ABRAHAM SHURT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
lb the Wbrahip/uU John Winthrop, Oouemor of the haye of
Messaihusett cUr.
Aldworth-townb, the Sth of Sber 163S, a^.
WoRSHiPFULL, — My dutie remembred, ettc. Sir, occa-
sion presentinge to me for a parcell of Dutch tradinge
cloth, & wantinge there for the payment of it, shall desire
you to paye vnto Mr. Tho : Milward the Thirtj^e pounds
accorded vpon for the charge of the protest I am in-
572 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1638.
formed by an easteme native that the Kerkes * have taken
two plantations in Canada. Not presentinge else worthye
your notice, I take leaue & ever rest
Your Worships to be comanded
Abraham Shurt.
Indorsed bj Gov. Winthrop, '^ Mr. Keajne, joa maj deliuer Tho :
Wheeler his work. Jo: Winthrop, Gou'.
9:26.
1638."
ABRAHAM SHURT TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To the Bight WorahipfuH John WirUhrop, Oouemor of the Baye
of Measthuaett. dd.
PsMAQum the 16th of Julys 1638.
WoRSHiPFULL, — My dutye remembred ettc. Att my
cominge from the Baye to Richmonds Iland, I sent the
first bill of exch : for the 100/, & the 2d by the way of
Bristoll, & arrivinge hither I receiued a lettre from Mr.
Elbridge, in which he writes that he had receiued lOOZ of
Sir Rich : Saltonstall, in part of the bill of exchange &
dammadge, & now I haue written vnto him to retoume
the bills agayne, beinge confident that he will, without
presentinge them : & to that ende I haue sent vnto Mr.
Mayhew that he may forbeare the payment of it to
Mr. Ballard. Had I knowne of the receipt of the lOOZ I
would not haue sent the bills for England. Not present-
inge elce at present, I take leaue & rest euer
Your Worships to command
Abraham Shurt.
* Qaebec wns taken and garrisoned by Sir David Kirk and his brothers in Jaly,
1629. —i/oM. IRtL 8oc. ColL, vol. vii., 2d series, p. 62. — Eds.
1639.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 573
ABRAHAM SHURT TO ROBERT KNIGHT.
Aldworth-towne the 17th of June 1639.
Mr. Robt. Knight, — When it shall p[l]ease God to
send you to the Baye, demand of Mrs. Mil ward for Mr.
Elbridge his letter, & shew it with the Invoyse vnto
Mr. Winthrop, togeather with his letter, & Dills accompt
& his letter, & take vpon my note from Mr. Winthrop
touchinge Dill. Comend me to Mr. Mavericke, and if
Mr. Ludlowe be there demand his accompt of him and
procure an ende vnto it : & for Mr. Hickford, be earnest
with him, and alsoe for the bill of 10/. dew to me, & to
any one else that are indebted vnto vs : ratifyinge & con-
ferminge what you doe therin, as if I were present, &
thus wishinge you a safe retoume I ever rest
Your lo : freinde Abraham Shurt.
Witness herevnto
Henry Champney Jr.
Mr. MQward, lett me intreat you by vertue of this order,
to call Gorge Dill of Salem before the gouemer, and end
the account which stands in shut betweane vs, by reason
that I am now bound for Pemaquid, and cannot continew
any longer in these parts, my occations being vrgent to
goe. Whom and what you shall doe therin we shall al-
lowe, as well dun. He hath put vs to a great deale of
charg in coming soe far to end his account, and I hoope
that you will recouer som what for it. Soe I rest, in Bos-
towne the 11th July, 1639,
Your lo : flFrind to command Robert Knight.
Indorsed bj Robert Knight, '^ A Remembrance from Mr. Shurt."
674
THE WINTHROP PAPERS.
[1613.
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS, &c.
SIR HENRY APPLETON'S^ ACQUITTANCE TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Decimo quabto die Decembris Anno Domini 1613.
Memorandum, that I, Sir Henry Appleton of o>^
South Bemflett in the Countie of Essex, Knight
& Barronett, haue reseyued & had of John Went-
rop of Growghton in the County of SuflF. gent.,
the somm of fifte and seauen pounds and ten shil-
lings for the fyne for the admittance of his son
Forth Wentrope to those copyholde Lands which
are holden of that my mannour of Layham in
the County of Suff. wherof I reseyued forty nyen
pounds & ten shillings by the hands of Thomas
Hawes of Moch Stambridge in the County of
Essex yoman & the residew of the saide Mr.
Wentrop. I say Receyued the daye & yeare
aboue written the som of ^
FlvijK
Henrt Appleton.
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop, " Sir Henry Appleton's acquittance for
Ivij/i X8 for Forthes fine, &c."
s
• Sir Henry Appleton, bart., is believed to have been descended from the same John
Appiilton of Waldingfield Magna, Suffolk, from whom came the Appleton Family of New
England, to one of whom we are indebted for the Appleton Fund, from the income of
which this volume is printed. He was the son of Sir Roger Appleton, who married a
daughter of Sir Thomas Mildmay, of Moulsham. Sir Henry married Joan, daughter of Ed-
ward Sheldon, Esq. The title became extinct in 1710. Memorial of Samuel AfpUUm, p.
68, note. — Eds.
1626 P] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 575
WALTER CLOPTON* TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Good Cosen, — Sir Symone Dewes promised me last
terme, vpon his honesty, that he woulde ioyne this Terme
for publication. I desier to haue the bookes sent downe ;
my father will pay you the charges & satisfy your man, if
you please to command him to follow it for me. The debt
I owe you I desier you would deferre till the assizes, where
I shalbee & cleere all. I would intreat you to make a
motion for those writings that I was commanded to bringe
into the Court, that they may be deliuered againe to me.
The deed of entayle is that I cheefly ayme at, made by
William Clopton to Thomas Clopton. I haue forgott the
names of the rest, but I thinke they are all together with
that. I pray excuse me that I am thus troublsome. With
my best love, truly I rest
Your faythfull friend & kindsman
Walt: Clopton
Sir, if you please, I shall intreat you to lay out what
moneyes my cosen Winthrop shall demand for the takinge
out of the depositions, & I will restore them at your re-
tume : also that you woold command your man to solicite
Mr. Winthrop that I may not fayle of my desires in this
letter, which I haue left open for you to read. Sir, I wish
you a prosperous iourney & a safe retume, resting
Your louing sonne in law to command
Walt! Clopton.
Indorsed by Gov. Winthrop, " Mr. Clopton ad Sir Dewes. Lettre
R. June 13, per Sir Ro : Thornton."
• Walter Clopton, second son of Sir William Clopton, was a cousin of Gov. Winthrop's
second wife. He inarried the eldest daaghter of Sir Roger Thornton; to whom the latter
part of this letter was eTidently addressed, probably before the jear 1627. — Eds.
576 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1629.
MILES CORBETT^ TO JOHN WINTHROP.
lb his verie loving friend Mr, Winthrop at his chamber at
the Inner Temple, on the right hand be/ore you come at the
Cloister.
Mr. Wintrupp, — I hav sent up 2001% to be paid into
the Court of Wardes, which is for the half yeeres rent
of the leass, as also for the paiment now this half year for
the wardship of the bodie. If ther be any other paiment,
I will see it descharged at my coming to London, which
wilbe about the 18 of October. I pray your directions to
this bearer where & when to pay it. Thus ceasing fur-
ther troubling you at this present, with my harty saluta-
cion vnto you, I comend you to the Almyghty, & rest
Your feithful frend Miles Corbett.
Sprowston t 6 October 1628.
WILLIAM AMESt TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To my honorable friend Mr. John Wintrop, with his associats for
New England.
Honorable Sirs, — My dayly prayers imto God, shall
bee for the good successe of the buisines yow have under-
taken. And for my self, I longe to bee with yow, though
I doe not see how I should satisfie the opinion & exspecta-
tion which yow have conceyved of mee.
* Miles Corbett was a lawyer of Lincoln's Inn, and was returned as a member of Par-
liament for thirty-seven years prior to the restoration of Charles IL He was tried as a
regicide; and executed at Tyburn, 19th April, 1662. Cavffidd's Sgh Oowrt of JuiHctf pp.
61-54. — Eds.
t Sprowston, a parish of Norfolk County, England. — Eds.
X William Ames, D.D., the great Puritan preacher and theologian, the author of the
*' Medulla Theologica *' and other treatises, was a professor in the University of Franeker,
in Holland ; whence this letter was dated. He died at Rotterdam, November, 1688, aged
fifty-seven, before he had fulfilled his purpose of coming to New England. — Eds.
1630.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 577
I purpose therfor (God willing, and sending no hinder-
ance beside what I yet know of) to come into England in
sommer, and (upon the news of your safe arrivall, with
good hope of prosperitie) to take the first convenient oc-
casion of following after yow. Concerning the directions
yow mention, I have nothing to write : as being ignorant
of special difficulties ; and supposing the general care of
safetie, libertie, unitie, with puritie, to bee in all your
mindes & desires. If upon further information, any thing
come in my minde, I shall bee ready to communicate the
same with yow.
Thus with prsesentation of all offices in my power, I
rest Yours W. Ames.
F&ANEK. Dec 29.*
JOHN BRADINGEt TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Sir, — I haue now at last with the best advice I can get,
perfected the deed of revocation & settling of your estate,
as is herein mencioned. I desire you would presently
write & scale duplicate thereof, whether you come ouer or
no : as I tr[u8t] you will. But if you doe, there is danger
in it. ffo[r] the sealeing of a duplicate, you must scale
both parts togither, & lay them one vpon another, & deli-
uer them both as your deed togither. And if you bring
one of them in your pocket, it will do well. The reasons
of this kinde of conveyance are to provide in these cases.
1. If you line (which God graunt in mercy), then may
your trustees secure by your estate more moneyes then
• 1829. — Eds.
t John Bradinge was evidently a lawyer of the Temple, to whom Gov. Winthrop had
intrusted his legal business. His allusion to the will of Isaac Johnson, in his second letter,
was referred to on p. 20 of this volume.— Eds.
73
678 THE WINTHBOP PAPERS. [1631.
you write you shall need. 2. If you dye, liueing my lady,
there wilbe provision out of all but her joynture. 3. If
you dye without issue, then it wilbe serued before Mr.
Samuells estate, & ingage him to pay the debts. 4. If you
dye haueing issue, then is there no possible provision to
be made, but by the woods, which now you haue power
to settle thus, being ffee simple lands. And lastly, if you
revoke on any occasion the lease for 99 yeares, then this
lease for 21 yeares begins. And the reason why there is
a restraynt of power of revocation [is that] else no man
will venture any money vpon [tom] that is in a therd mans
power to revoke. And I hope you will trust no man of
whome you [are not] fully assured he will ioyne with you
to alter any th[ing] at your pleasure. These things I
write in regard I know not how God may inclyne your
hart, to come oner or not. Its now the last day of the
tearme but two, and I am posting to the hall, therfore ex-
cuse the hast of Your faithfull affectionate friend,
Jo. Bradinge.
Temp. 26 Not. 1630.
JOHN BRADINGE TO JOHN WINTHROP.
Jb (he right worahipfuU John Winthorpe Eaqr. Oovtmour^ At
Charles Towne in Newe England dd.
Sir, — One Mr. Hueson hath bene often with me, to
write to you. It seemeth Mr. Johnson had some cowes of
his (six as he sayth), of the deliuery of Mr. Endycott,
without any authority to sell them. In Michaelmas
Tearme last, he acquaynted me with his dislike of the bar-
gen, & euer since he disclaymes it, & tells me he wrote as
much to Mr. Johnson; & this mominge he shewes me
Capten Endycots letter, that he had no authority. And
1635.] THE WnrrHBOF FAFEB8. 579
the scope of all is he desires he may haue his cattell
agayne, to which you are best able to giue answere ; I can
giue none.
We are at a stand here abont Mr. Johnson's execntor*
ship. You write he made a will there to conferme this
here. How can this then be proned as his last t You
write you haue sent it over, John Drake sayth he copyed
it to that purpose, but none can be heard of. I beseech
you Sir, let not your great occacions there cause an vtter
neglect of the credit & honour of that worthy gentleman,
who lines still in the harts of many worthy Christians
here, and I doubt not but he doth line as freshly there in
your harts. I pray Sir, send oner his will as soone as you
can, and let his engagements be discouered if any were.
It would* be a great dishonour if his debts should not be
payd, and who dares meddle, till they know all t I wrote
lately to Mr. Dudley to the same purpose, so I hope hath
Mr. Holled.
The Lord keepe you & prosper your designes.
Your Jo: Bradinge.
26 : Mat, 1631.
^^ Indorsed by Grov. Winthrop, ^^ Mr. Brading of Mr. Hewson."
SIR RICHARD 8ALTON8TALL* TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
ffoT my worthy good ffreind J^. John WinthropPf Oouemour of
the PlarUationa at Conedecott Ryuer in New England^ these dd.
per Fra. Styles, whom Oodpreserue.
GrooD Mr. Winthropp, — Being credibly informed (as
by the inclosed may appeare) that there hath beene some
* Sir Bichard Saltonstall, knight, one of the fathers of the MMsaohnsetts Colony,
came oyer to New England with Gov. Winthrop in 1680: and, though he returned home
early in the following year, he earnestly befriended oar country in England by thought,
word, and deed; and was active with the Lords Brooke and Say and Sele, and other Puri-
tans, in the tint settlement of Connacticat. aomge$ Qtrnttd, Diet qfN^ — Eoa.
580 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1636.
abuse and injurie done me by Mr. Ludlowe & others of
Dorchester, who would not suffer Frances Styles & his
men to impall grounde where I appomted them att Con-
necticut, although both by patent, which I tooke aboue
foure yeares since, & prepossession, Dorcl^ester men, being
then vnsettled, & seekeing vp the Riuer aboue the falls for
a place to plant vpon, butt findeing none better to there
likeing, they speedily came backe againe & discharged my
worke men, casteing lotts vpon that place, where he was
purposed to begine his worcke ; notwithstanding he often
tould them what great charge I had beene att in sending
him & so many men, to prepare a house against my com-
ming, & enclose grounde for my cattle, and how the
damage would fall heauie vpon those that thus hindered
me, whom Francis Styles conceiued to haue best right to
make choyse of any place there. Notwithstanding, they
resisted hime, slighteing me with many vnbeseeming words,
such as he was vnwilling to relate to me, but will justifie
vpon his oath before authoritie, when he is called to itt
Therefore, wee haueing appointed you to be our Gouemour
there ; the rest of the Company e being sencible of this
affront to me, would haue signified there minde in a gene-
rail letter vnto you, but that I tould them sithe itt did con-
cerne my selfe in particular and might perhaps breed
some jealousies in the people, and so distast them with
our Gouemementt ; wherevpon they advised me write vnto
you to request you with all speede & diligence to examine
this matter, & if (for the subitance) you find itt as to vs
itt appeares, by this information heerewith sent you, that
then in a faire & gentile way you giue notice to Dort-
chester men of this greate wronge they haue donne me &
let ; (being the first that to further this designe sent my
pinnace thither, at my owne great charge of almost a
thousand pounds, which now is cast away by theire de-
taineing her so long, before she could vnlayd; and for
which iniustice I may require satisfaction, as also for my
1635.] THE WIKTHBOF PAPERS. 581
prouision, which cost aboue fiue hundreth pounds, and are
now (I hcare) almost all spent by this meanes, and not
any palling as yet sett vp att that place where I appointed
them ; which had I but imagined they would haue thus
greedily snatched vp all the best grounds vpon that Riuer,
my pinnace should rather haue sought a pylate at New
Plymouth, then to haue stayd ten days as she did, in the
Bay, to haue giuen them such wameing thus to preuent
me) & lett them spaire as (I am tould) they may very well,
forth of that great quantity they haue ingrossed to them-
selues, so much as my proportion comes too, and if they
haue built any houses therevpon, I will pay them theire
reasonable charges for the same. But I pray you, either
goe yourselfe with some skillfull men with you, or send
Sergieant Gardiner & some with hime, to sett out my
grounds (1600 akers) where it may be most conuenient,
betweene Plimouth Trucking house and the faUs,* accord-
ing to my directions giuen both to the maister of my
pinace and to Francis Styles, which I thinke they will not
now denie me, vnderstanding what charge I am att (with
others of the Companie) to secure this River mouth for the
difence of them aU, wherin I hope you will negelect no
meanes, according to our greate trust reposed in you.
Thus beseeching the Lord ta prosper the worke begun, I
commend you with all our affaires vnder your charge to
the gratious direction and protection of our good God, in
whome I am Your most assured loveing freind
0 Ric: Saltonstall
Whitefreyers, the 27th ffebruary 1635.
Pray you commend me after yourselfe, to your good
wife & Sergieant Gardiner with his fellow soldier, whom
I purpose, God willing, to visitt this summer, if he will
prouide a house to receiue me & mine att my landing.
• I had rather haae it towards N: Town, becawse I purpose to bnyld there, & joyn
with Mr. Hooker. — Sib B. Saltomstall.
582 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [IjSSfi.
Sm HENRY VANE* TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
For his Worthy and much respected freiT^ Mr, John Winthrop, the
yonger, Oouemour of Gonnettiat.
Mr. Winthrop, — For as much as it hath pleased God
to send Mr. Fenwicke into this country, and to call me to
a distinct charge and care ouer the matters of this Planta-
tion ; I shall no way interest my self in the matters of
Connetticut, any further then as a publike person of this
body. So that in all these matters I shall wholy referre
you to Mr. Fenwicke, who accompanys these lines to you.
That which for the present I haue to commend to you, is
a busines that concemes not only this state, but all the
English upon the Riuer ; that is to say, a cleare examina-
tion of the Fequots proceedings, and such expression of
our minds to them, as in this case is requisite. To this
end we haue thought fitt to send you a Commission, and
to recommend to your consideration certaine instructions
which containe the summe of our thoughts in that busines.
And farther we do desire you to lay downe so much Wam-
pam there as the Fequots sent vs, and we shall see you re-
payd heere. Your father will write to you what quantity
it is of For the skins, we shall send them by some of the
Barkes that go to you. The oppertunity of Mr. Fenwick
* Sir Henry Vane was bom in 1612, and oame to New England in 1686. The Ber.
G. Garrard, in a letter to the Earl of Straffordjikted in September of this year, says of
Vane, ** Mr. Comptroller Sir Henry Vane*s eldest son hath left his fkther, his mother, his
country, and that fortune which his father would have left him here, and is for conscience*
sake gone into New England, there to lead the rest of his days, being about twenty years of
age. He had abstained two years from taking the sacrament in England, because he could
get nobody to administer it to him standing. He was bred up at Leyden; and I hear that
Sir Nathaniel Rich and Mr. Pymme have done him much hurt in their persuasions this
way.** — SfrajforJ Xetters, vol. i. p. 468. The next year after Vane's arrival in New Eng-
land, he was chosen Governor of Massachusetts, but returned to England in 1687. He took
his seat as a member of Parliament, in April, 1640; and occupied an influential and promi-
nent position in the important affairs of the next twenty years. He was arraigned for
high treason, on the 2d of June, 1662 ; and executed on Tower Hill on the 14th of the
same month. — Eds.
l^^O THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 683
and Mr. Feeters being with you may somewhat aduance this
worke, and therfore I beseech you let not the occasion
slip. As for other matters that conceme the mouth of the
Bluer, and those that line in the ypland, if you acquaint
me with them, I shall giue you my aduise and assistance
for establishing thing[s] according to justice, and the
equity of the cause. Your owne wisedome is such I
know as to lay yp such obseruations by you, as may be for
the benefitt of the gentlemen, and may giue them some
retume of their great disbursements ; as also for counsell
and direction how to setle things at the Riuers mouth ; in
all which you may be helpfull to Mr. Fenwicke, who is a
stranger to those parts, and so I doubt but you wilbee.
Thus in hast I rest
Your affectionate freind H : Vane.
Boston, 1 of the 6* month, 1636.
I haue sent you this paper inclosed, to acquaint you
with what intelligence we haue receaued: what your
knowledge can further adde, I am silent in.
Indorsed bj John Winthrop, Jr., ^^ Mr. Vane, afterw[ards] S' Henery
Vane."
THOMAS WELLES* TO JOHN WINTHROP.
To ffie Right WorahipfuH Mr. Wynfhroppe Oouemour at the Bay
present these.
Right Worshipfull, — I cannot but condemne my
selfe of great ingratitude, in this my so long sylence, after
the receipte of many free and vndesearued fauoHrs from
* Thomas Welles, one of the first settlers of Connecticut; of which colony ^e was
Secretary firom 1640 to 1648, Depnty-GoTemor in 1654-6-7 and 9, and Qovemor in 1655 and
1658. He died at Wethersfield, 14th January, 1659-60. He was the ancestor of our late
Associate Member, Hon. John Welles, of Boston.— Eds.
584 THE WINTHROP PAPERS. [1639.
I
your Worship, for all which I haue not yet any oportu-
nity to expresse my thankefuU acknowledgement thereof,
but by these fewe lynes, wherein I desire humbly to pre-
sent my harty & vnfeigned thanks vnto you, as for all
other manifestations of your loue, so for your great care &
troble in restoreing vnto me my searuaunt out of the pawes
of those desperat deluded cretures at the Hand, wherein
he was fearefully intangled and insnared ; a deUuerance,
for which both he, and all his frynds, are euer bound to
giue thanks to Almighty God, who made your Worship
so happy a instrument as to accomplishe the same. What
chardges ether your selfe, or any by order from you haue
disbursed, I shall most gladly satisfie. My deare ffryend,
Mr. Bellingham, sent me word that he paid for his pas-
sage by water, the which I shall thankefully repay at his
comming to Conectecott, which he hath appoynted before
his returne to the Bay.
I am sory to heare you haue such ill neighbours at Pys-
cataqua, which I feare will prone the reseptacle of such
persons as stand disaffected to this State. I should gladly
be aduised by your Worship & my worthy ffryend Mr.
Dudley, what I might doe for the preuention thereof;
haueing the disposeing thereof committed to my trust
(from the Company) with Mr. Whiting, if he bring no
other directions at his returne from old Ingland, if your
Worships aduise, yt may rest, as yt is so long: Thus
craueing pardon for my boldnes, I humbly take my leaue,
& rest,
At your Worships searuice to be commaunded
Tho : Welles.
Habtford, this 16th of Aprill, 1639.
16o9.] THE WINTHROP PAPERS. 585
THOMAS WELLE;S TO JOHN WINTHROP, JR.
To his honored & much respected ffryend John Wynthrope Esquire,
ait his howse ait Hartford present.
Honored Sir, — My due respecte premised. I haue
receaued yours, and acknowledge your great care for
the good of this commonwelth. I feare the Indeans may
haue some deepe plott against the Inglishe, in killing the
Indeans in seuerall howses of the Inglishe. Mr. Brewster
hath sent me the relation of his mans death, which I haue
here sent I entend to morrowe morneing to wayte vppon
you att Hartford. Yt is not safe in these cases to delay
the tyme. Not els at present but rest, committing you
to the protexion of the AUmighty, and remayne
Yours vnfeignedly Tho: Welles.
March the 25th. 59.
ludorscd by John Winthrop, Jr., " The Governour, Mr. Wells."
74
Jfat-^imiles
OF
THE AUTOGRArH SIGNATURES AND OF THE SEALS
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mes.
INDEX.
INDEX.
A.
A, B, C, Letters of Thomas Smvthe (Rob-
ert Byece), 410, 422, 436.
Acadia, 518, 619. — See ** Nova Scotia."
Adams, Ferdinando, excommunicated, 432.
Adnmson, Patrick, Archbishop of St. An-
drew's, 433.
Agreement with the sachems, 1638, 254.
Alcott, Thomaffj 621.
Alexander, Wilham, Earl of Stirling. Grant
of the territory of Nova Scotia to, 618,
619. Notice of, 618, n.
Allen, Mr., 244, 247.
Allerton, Isaac, 166, 369.
Alphabet for writing in cipher, 481.
Altars in churches, 404-407.
Ames, Rev. William, 11, 16. Cases of
conscience, 4, 6. Letter to John Win-
throp, 676. Notice of, 676, fi.
Anabaptists to be banished, 78.
Andrews. Henry, 166.
Angier, Sir Francis, death of. 40«.
Anonymous letter to John Winthrop, 442.
Antigua, 687, 588.
Antimonial cup, 126.
Anti-Pedobaptlsm, law in Massachusetts
against, 466.
Apparel, extravagance of, in New England,
460.
Appleton, Sir Henry, Bart. : Acquittance to
John Winthrop, 574. Notice of, 674, n.
Appleton, Robeit, 391, n.
Appleton, Samuel, Ipswich, 394.
Appleton, Samuel, Boston, 391, n., 674, n.
Appulton, John, 674, fi.
Aauedneck, or Rhode Island, 167, 267.
Messengers to, appointed by the church
in Boston, 312-316.
Aauethnick. — See *' Aquedneck.*'
**Arbella," ship: Departure from South-
ampton, 470.
Archer. Revt Mr., silenced, 16.
ArchisaeUj Rev. Thomas, 489. Alphabet
for writing in cipher, 481.
Arnold, Benedict, 273, 280, 284, 286. To
act as interpreter, 335. 848.
Arundel, Thomas Howard, Earl of. Retnm
from his embassy to Germany, 1636, 420.
Ash, Mr., prosecuted for distributing
Prynne's Works. 447.
Ashton, Captain, Uoremorof Antigua, 1645,
687.
Aspinwall, William, 226.
Assotemuit, 198, 199.
Atherton, Humphry, 299.
Atwood, John, death of, 161.
Audsah, 191, 208, 214, 216.
B.
Babergh Hundred, Suffolk, Eng , 667.
*' Bachelor," bark, 871. Arriviil of the, from
London, 1635, 325.
Baker, Walter, 99.
Baker, William, 216, 222, 223, 245, 247.
Baptism of children, order for the, 438, 439.
Baptists at Seekonk, 274, 277.
Barbadoes, 587. Expedition to, 1651, 154.
Bnmardiston, Sir Nathaniel, 666. Elected
to Parliament, 1639, 548. Letters to John
Winthrop, 546, 647, 649. Letter to John
Winthrop, jun., 646. Notice of, 546, n.
Barnardiston, Sir Samuel, 646, n.
Bamardiston, Thomas, 546, n.
Bamfield, Peter, 367.
Bastwick, Dr. John, imprisonment of, 460,
461, 463.
Bath, Eng., plague in, 1636, 429.
Batter, Edmund, 66, 143, 213.
Battles in Scotland, 1664, 288.
Bellingham. Richard, 26, 27, 28, 97, 346.
Bennett, Elizabeth, 141.
Bernard, Rev. Mr., 446.
Bishop, George, 136.
Black-lead, discovery of, in New England,
60. Near Quassink, 877, 378.
Blackstone, William, 218. Death of, 299.
Blake, Admiral Robert, 293, 294.
Blauvelt, Captain, 272, 278, n., 274, 280.
" Blessing of the Bay," bark, 869.
Block Island, 214. Vidians, 272. Prisoners
taken at. 197.
" Bloody Tenent of Persecution," by Wil-
liams, 282.
Blnefield (Blauvelt), Captain, 272, 273, n.,
274, 280. — See •* Blauvelt."
Blynman, Rev. Richard, 77, 78. 170, 171.
Bond, Nicholas, agreement or John Win-
throp, Jun., with, 516.
" Book of Sports," K. James I.*8, required
to be observed, 1636, 411.
Books sent to John Winthrop. Jun., 497.
Boston, church in, 812-316. Fire in. March
14, 1662-3, 166. Proposal by Edward
Howes to establish a mathematical school
in, 612. Harbor, Bristol ship taken in, 637.
592
INDEX.
Boundary between MasMichuMtto and Ply-
mouth Colonies, 166, 167, 168.
Boxford, En^.: Controversy with Groton,
667. PlHgue in, 1637, 664.
Boynton, Sir Mattnew, 462, n., 469.
Bradford, William, Governor of Plvmouth,
170, 178, 180, 834. Letters to John Win-
throp, 166, 168, 169, 160. Notice of, 166, n.
Brndinge, John, letters to John Winihrop,
677, 678. Notice of, 677, n.
Bradshaw, John, 292. Imprisonment of, 298,
294.
Bradstreet, Simon, 66, 106.
Braintrec, town of, suit against William
Coddington, 817.
Brand, John, 600.
Brand, Joseph, 660.
Breda, capture of, by the Dutch, 48.
Brewster, Jonathan, 162, 276.
Bridge at Providence, 290.
Bridjjes, , accused of murder, 662.
** Brief Answer ( A), to a late Treatise of the
Sabbath Day," 414.
BriAtoi, surrender of, to Prince Rupert,
866, ft. '
Bristol ship taken in Boston Harbor, 637.
Brooke, Robert Greville, LonI, 49, 666.
Browne, Lawrence ( Robert Ryece to John
Winthrop), 398.
Buckner, Rev. Thomas, 415.
Building, manner of, in Ireland, 474, 476.
Bulklev, Rev. Peter, 206.
Bull, Jireh, 308.
Buinstcad, Mr., arrested and committed to
the Tower, 411, 412.
Bunduck, Elizabeth, 88.
Bnnduck, William, 470. Bill of exchange,
b}" Isaac Johnson, in favor of, 88.
Burreli, Abraham, 32«, n.
Btirrell, Margaret, 32", n.
Burrowes, Samuel, proceedings against, 432.
Burton. Rev. Henrv, imprisoned, 460, 462.
Bushell, Edward, 330.
Bushell, Mr., 115.
c.
Cambridge, Eng., plague in, 1686, 429.
Cambridge, Masft., inhabitants of, recjuest
permission to build a house for a resident
m Connecticut, 364. Printing in, 1688,
99.
Canada, Jet^uits in, 481. Notice of a map
of, 613. Successes of Sir David Kirk in,
672.
Canonchet. — See " Nananawtunu."
Canonicu?, 191, 193, 198, 199, 200, 208, 209,
210, 223, 224, 231, 241, 242, 243, 246, 260,
259, 2C1, 264, 297, 298, 304, 309, 310, 615.
Carr, Caleb, 304.
Carr, Sir Robert, 529, 632.
Cartwright, Sir George, 629.
Castle Hill, Ipswich, granted to John Win-
throp, jun., 103. intended sale of to W.
Hubbard and others, 104.
Castlehaven, Krt] of, 32''.
Cntechifim, order for the, 440.
Caterpillars destructive to the grain in
New England, 1646, 150ft, 878.
Cattle, loss of, in Dorchester Plantation, 616.
Caucaumsquissic, trading-house at, 285, n.
Causa Senamnt (Robin), 282, 268, 276, 278,
620.
^ Certain Queries propounded to the Bowers
to the Names of Jesus,'* &c., by Prynne,
413.
^* Certain Questions propounded to Arch-
bishops, Bishops, Archdeacons," &c., by
Prvnne, 418.
Chaderton, Cicely, letter to Isaac Johnson,
28. Notice of, 28, n.
Chaderton, Rev. Lawrence, D.D., 24, 28, n.
Chaplains forbidden to be emploved, 440.
Charles I., King of Great Bntain, 282, 641,
642, 666, 666. Address to, in Prynne's
" News from Ipswich,'* 480, 482. Inipri-
soned in Carisbrook Castle, 466. Pro-
gress of, into Shropshire, 1686, 410. Takes
precautions to prevent the spread of the
plague in London, 1686, 408.
Charles II., invasion of England by, 1661,
77.
Charles Lodowick, Connt Palatine, protest
of, 421.
Chauncy, Rev. Charles, 169. Elected Pre-
sident of Harvard College, 29L
Cheseboro, William, proceedino against,
181.
Child, Dr., 60, 108.
Child, Richard, 87.
Church in Boston : Controversy with mem-
bers at Aquethuick, 812-815.
Churching of women, order of service for
the, 437.
Cipher, Archisden's alphabet for writing in,
481. Method used by Edward Howes,
469.
" Circumference of the Earth, Of the," by
Edward Howes, 480.
Clapham, George, 28.
Clapham, John, 28.
Clark, Dr. John, Boston, 275.
Clarke, Jeremiah, 818.
Clarke, John, of Rhode Island, 274.
Clarke, Rev. Mr.. 646.
Gierke, Captain Thomaa, 529.
Cleve, Mr., 126.
Cleves, George, 176.
Clopton, Walter, letter to John Winthrop,
676. Notice of, 676, n.
Clopton, Sir William, 676.
Coal from the Altar, by Heylin, 404.
Cochin- China (the rarities oOi by Karri, 497.
Coddington, William, 167, 268. Action
against William Dyre, 821. Letters to
John Winthrop, 812, 816, 818. To John
Winthrop, jun., 819, 820. Notice of, 812,
n. His removal from Boston, 814. Suit
of the town of Braintree against, 817.
Coggshall, John, 818.
Coke, Sir John, Secretary of State, 46, 167.
Coles, Mr., 218. ,
College at Cambridge, N. E., 47, 180.
Collicut, Richard, 210, 212, 228. Letter
from Roger Williams to, 211.
Colman, William, 441.
Combe, Mr., 860-852.
Combe, Mrs. Elizabeth. 350, 861.
Commissioners from Massachusetts to the
Nahigonsick and Cowwesit Indians, 800.
To New Netherland, 1664, 629. Of the
United Colonies 150^. Orders respecting
the Pequots, 387.
INDEX.
593
Commons, Hoom of, adjonrnmentof, 1628, 84.
Communion, orders for the administration
of the, 485, 489.
Commonion-table ordered to be placed at
the east end of the church, 404-407, 436.
Comnerts, Court of, 412.
Confederacy of the New-England Colonies,
178, 890.
Connecticut Colony, 239. Plantation of,
1636, 44, 98, 162, 864, 869, 871, 887, 603,
617, 618, 679, 680, 682. War with the
Narrafcansetts, 160.
Connecticut River, 608.
Cook, Captain, and Mr. Tyng, arrested by
Gorton, 880.
Cooke, Colonel, death of, 286.
Cooper, Benjamin, 182.
Cooper, Rebecca, 66, 107, 182, 143, 144.
Copeland, Rev. Patrick, letter toj from Hugh
Peter, 98.
Coppinger, Henry, 395, 896.
Coppinger, Mrs. Sarah, 894, 895, 896.
Corbett, Dr.. 412.
Corbett, Miles, 566. Letter to John Win-
throp, 576. Notice of, 576, n.
Cotton, Rev. John, 24, 28, 172, 227, 282, 817,
857, 404, n., 405, 445, 446. Death of, 156.
Letter to Francis Hutchinson mentioned,
813, «.
Covenant at Hartford, 1688, 248. In Scot-
land, 48. (Church) of Boston, in relation
to members dismissed. 817.
Coventry, Thomas, Lord, death of, 167.
Cowwesit Indians, 800, 809.
Coxall, Mr., 226.
Cradock, Matthew, Governor of the Massa-
chusetts Company, 18, 14, 216, 280. Let-
ters to John Winthrop. 118, 122, 125, 128.
Notice of, 118, «. Offer of £60 towards
the establishment of Harvard College,
180. Order to John JoUiff, 124.
Crane, Sir Robert, 468, 667.
Creed of St. Athanasius to be used in divine
service, 486.
Cromwell, Oliver, 77, 286, 289, 862, 863.
Sends an expedition against Hispaniola
and Cuba, 1656, 289, 291. Speech at the
opening of Parliament^ 1654, mentioned,
298. Successes in Ireland, 1649-60, 76.
At Wexford and Drogheda, 279.
Cromwell, Captain Thomas, homicide by,
178.
Cross in the ensign, defaced by Endeoott,
181, 182.
Crum, Samuel, 180.
Cuppunaugunnit, 200.
Cutshamaquin, 197, 248, 268.
Cuttaquene, alleged attempt of, to murder
Uncas, 268, 270. Sentenced by the com-
missioners, 848, fi.
Cnrlow, Jacob, 267. .
D.
Dade, Mr., excommunicates Ferdinando Ad-
ams, 482.
Dalton, Rev. Mr., deprived, 663.
D'Aulney, Charles de Menou, 150», 180.
Davenport, Rev. John, 76. 94, 166, 867, 492.
Arrival of, in New England, 844, fi.
Day^ Stephen, commences printing at Cam-
bridge, 1688, 99. Letter from William
Pvnchon to, 876. Notice of, 876, n.
Declaration concerning lawful sports to be
used. By King James L, 411.
Dell, Rev. William: His books burnt at
Boston, 1664, 291.
Denmark, invasion of, by Tillv, 1627, 88.
By the King of Sweden, 1657-8, 85.
Dennis, Captain, expedition against Virgi-
nia, 1651, 868.
D'Ewes, Sir Simonds, 576.
Digby, Sir Kenelm, 116.
Dike, Anthony, 189, 190, 871.
Dillingham, &lward, 40», 64, 65.
Distilling in Salem, 69.
"Divine Tragedy (A), latelv acted; or, A
Collection of Sundry Memorable Ex-
amples of God*s Judgments upon Sabbath-
breakers," by Prvnne, 414.
Dogs sent to New England, 491.
Dorchester Plantation in Connecticut, 680.
Loss of cattle in, 515.
Downing, Emanuel, 118, 115, 116, 117, 188,
152, 167, 616. Bill of exchange on, by
Isaac Johnson, 88. By John Winthrop,
87. Bond to John Winthrop, iun., 89.
To John Winthrop, jun., in relation to
interest in the Iron-works, 89. Deed to
Thomas Vincent of his interest in the
iron-works, 89. Letter to Hugh Peter, 68.
Letters to John Winthrop, tt,4UI,.36, 8Z,
m, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 62, 53, 54, 66, 64, 66,
67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 78. Letters to John
Winthrop, jun., 86, 40, 41, 42, 48, 44, 69,
62, 68, 68, 69, 71, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79. 80,
81, 88, 86. Letters to Fitz John Win-
throp, 84, 86, 87. Letter from Isaac
Johnson to, 29. Date of the birth of, 40<,
fi. Notice of, 83, a. Preparations to em-
bark for New England. 488. And Hugh
Peter. Letter to John Winthrop, 90.
Downing, Sir George, Bart, 76, 78, 79^ 80,
81, 114. Letters to John Winthrop, jan.,
586, 640, 643. Letter from John WiiN
throp, jun., to, 624. Notice of, 586, «.
Downing, James, 40*, 40«.
Downing, John, 188.
Downing, Mrs. Lucy. 147, 488. 624, 626,
543, 544. Postscript to a letter from
Emanuel Downing to John Winthrop, jun.,
74.
Downhig, Lucy (daughter of Eoumuel), 70,
78.
Downing (College, 646, n.
Doxie, Katharine, 284, 286.
Doxie, Thomas, 279, 280, 284, 286.
Drake, Sir Francis, 477.
Drought in England, 1636, 408, 410. In New
En^and, 1646, 66.
Dublin, siege of, 75.
Dudley, Governor Thomas, 26, 27, 28, 169,
167, 263. Mission to D*Auluey, 180.
Dunster, Henrv, resigns the Presidency of
Harvard CoAege, 291.
Dnrdall, Hugh, misdemeanor of, 816.
Durham. Eng., capture of, 1640, 148.
Dutch claim to New-Haven Colony, 846.
Dutch Island (Aquednick), 267.
Dyer, William, 289.
Dyre, WiUiam, action of William Ck>ddUig-
ton against, 821.
75
594
INDEX.
E.
Eale, Samnel, 186.
Earle, Sir Walter, 666.
Earthquake in New England, Jnne 1, 1688,
229, 605.
Earthquakes in New England before 1688,
229.
Eaton, Nathaniel, 62, 186, 844.
Eaton, Samuel, 844, n.
Eaton, Theophilua, Governor of the Colony
of New Hayen, 76, 166. Letters to John
Winthrop, 844, 846, 847, 860. To John
Winthrop, jun., 848, 868. Notice of,
844, n.
Eclipse of the moon, Oct 17, 1682, 466,
467.
Eclipse of the sun, Oct 8, 1682, 466.
<« 'EiKuv BaaihKtit** 282.
Elderkin, John, note to Roger Williams,
279, n.
Elders, church, 184.
" Elizabeth's Spring," R.I., 299, 806.
Endecott, John, Governor of Massachusetts,
42, 64, 66, 67, 116, 116, 210, 218, 262, 884,
617, 678. Difference with John Humfrey
relating to Peter's mission to England, 146.
Letters to John Winthrop, 182, 188, 184,
136, 186, 188, 141, 148, 144, 146, 146. 148,
149, 160, 150*. L etters to J oh n Winthrop,
jun., 181. 152, 158, 164. Memoir of, by
Charles M. Endicott, mentioned, 160*, n.
Notice of, 131, n.
Endicott, Charles M. *' Memoir of John
Endecott," quoted, 160*, n.
English captives with the Narragansetts,
811.
Ensign, cross in the, defaced by Endecott,
131, 182.
Estrange, Hammond L', ** Americans no
Jews," 291.
Evans, John, Virtues of the Antimonial
Cup, 126, n.
Exeter, N.H., murder near, 1648, 68.
F.
Fac-similes of signatures and seals, 687.
Fairfax, Thomas, Lord, defeated at Adder-
ton Moor, 866, n.
Famine in Germany, 1636, 600.
Farrington, , 162.
Farrington vs. Downing, 70, 71.
Fast, general, in England, 1686, 424, 426.
Fast, general, in Massachusetts Colony, Jan.
20, 1636, 448, n.
Feake, Mrs. Elizabeth, 348, 849, 868, 860,
482, 521, 522.
Feake, Robert, 348, 849, 853, 622.
Felmingham, Francis, 132.
Fenner, Capt. Arthur, 307, 808, 811.
Fen wick, George, 682. Letters to John Win-
throp, 366, 367. To John Winthrop, jun.,
364, 365. Notice of, 364, n.
Fiennes, William, Viscount Say and Sele,
24, 49, 139.
Fife, Synod of, 1591, 438.
Fire in Boston, March 14, 1652-8, 156.
Fisheries, 280, 868.
Fisher's Island. 868, n.
Fiske, Rev. Jonn, comes to New England,
1687, 897. Notice of, 897, n.
Fleetwood, Charles, appointed Deputy for
Ireland, 81.
Flood in the Connecticut River, 1689, 866.
Fludd, Dr. Robert, 488, 496. Works pub-
lished by, 484, 497.
Fockes, , convicted of manslaaghter,
662.
Foote, Mr., proposes to establiih iron-works
at Providence, 290, 291, 292.
Forbes, Alexander, Lord. Letter from John
Winthrop, jun., to, 618. Notice of; 618, «.
Forbes, Sir William, Bart Notice of,
618, n.
Freeman, Edmund, 178.
French, aggressions of the. in Maine, 1686,
670. Supply Philip with ammnnitioQ,
&c., 809.
Fruit-trees in New England, 146, 160«, 868,
499.
Furnace, a new, 498.
G.
G. B. : Letter to Isaac Johnson, n».
Gallop, John, 194.
Gardiner, Sergeant, 681.
Gardner, Lieut Lyon, 164. Comet over in
the ** Bachelor." 1686, 827.
Garrard, Rev. G.: Letter to the Eari of
Strafford quoted, 682, n.
Garriard, John, accused of robbing the
grave of a Narragansett woman, 287.
Gauden, John, Bishop of Woroeater, 282, «.
General Court of Massachusetts, petition of
Hugh Peter to, in behalf of John Hum-
frey, 96.
Germany, plague and famine in, 1686, 600.
Gibbins, William. 869.
Gibbon, Capt Edward, 288, 818, n. Death
of, 291.
Gibbs, Capt. , 826. 829.
Gloria Patri to be said after byvtj Psalm,
486.
Gloucester, church at, 77.
Glover, Rev. Jose, 99, «i.
Goade, Abigail, 67.
Goffe, Edward, 14, 16, 81.
Goodwin, Rev. Thomas, 298.
Goodyear, Stephen, 861. 862. Notice of,
348, n. And Theophilns Eaton. Letter
to John Winthrop, 847.
Gorges, Sir Ferdinando, 8.
Gorton, Samuel, 147, 181, 846, 880, 660.
Gostlyn, Benjamin, 48.
Gostlyn. Thomas, 40«, 43, 488.
Gott, Charles, 112, 118, 116. Letter from
Hugh Peter to, 116.
Gould, Jeremiah, 818.
Grantham, letter to the Vicar of, by Bishop
Williams. 404-407.
Greene, Jonn, 226. Fined and imprisoned,
212.
Green way, Mr., murdered in London, 298, n.
Greenwood, William, 60.
Greville, Robert, Lord Brook, 49, 666.
Grindal, Edmund, Archbishop of Canter-
bury, 468.
INDEX.
595
Groton, Eng., controversy with Boxford,
667. Sale of Gov. Winthrop*8 estate in,
86.
GardOD, Brampton, 462, 454, 466, 661, 662,
666. Eighty-three years of age, 1649,
668. Letters to John Winthrop, 669, 661,
666, 667. 668. Notice of, 669, n.
Gordon, Merial, 490, 669, f».
Gurdon, , 669.
Gnstavus Adolphos, Kins of Sweden, 40a,
464, 466. Death of, 4^.
H.
Hall, Joseph, Bishop of Norwich, 282.
Hallet, WiUiam. 848. 849, 868, 621, 622.
Hammond, Col., uovernor of Carisbrook
Castle, 466.
Hammond, William, sen., 896, 896.
Hammond, William, jnn., 895, 896.
Hampden, John, 666.
Hampton, Eng., plague in, 1636, 429.
Hardmff, Robert, 198.
Harvard College, contributions toward the
establishment of, 180. Resignation of
President Dunster, and election of Presi-
dent Chauncy. 291.
Harwich Fort, plan of, to be procnred, 81,
82.
Haselrig, Sir Arthur, 42, 292. Imprison-
ment of, 298, 294. Appointed Governor
of Newcastle upon Tyne, 642. Notice
of, 864, n.
Hatherly, Timothy, 167, 168, 166, 388.
Hathome, Capt. William, 66, 66, 188, 148,
262, 264.
Hawkins, James, 219, 222, 240, 253.
Hawkins, Thomas, 219, 222, 240.
Haynes, John, Governor of Connecticut, 11,
128, 196, 244, 251, 325, n, 230, 260, 261,
262, 848, 868. Letters to John Winthrop,
865, 866. To John Winthrop, jun., 364,
868, 869, 861. Notice of, 854, n.
Haynes, Mrs. Mabel, sickness of, 359, 860,
861.
Haysel (hav-harvest), 1686, 408.
Hewson, Thomas, 470, 678.
Heylln, Peter, Coal from the Altar, 404.
Hibbins, William, 68, 69, 318, n, 814, 817.
Hill, Thomas, 28.
Hispaniola, expedition against, 1655, 289,
291 298
Histrio-Mastix, by Prynne, 415,419.
Hoare, Richard, 124.
Hobby, Mr, 863.
Hodges, John, 124.
Holgrave, John, 101.
Holland, declaration of war bv, against Eng-
land, 1Q62, 79, 81. Internal affairs of
295. War with, 862. War with, 1664,
681. War with Spain, 40«i.
Holmes, Lieut William, 244, 245.
Hooker, Rev. Thomas, 31, 221,223, 247, 857.
Letters to John Winthrop, 888. 889. To
John Winthrop, jun., 887. Notice of,
887jfi.
Hopkms, Mrs. Ann, insanity of. 836.
Hopkins, Edward, Governor of Connecticut,
166, 381, 885. Invoice of goods sent to
John Winthrop, iup., 1686, 826. Arrival
of, in New England, 844, «i. Letters to
John Winthrop, jun., 826, 829, 881, 882,
384, 886, 886, 837, 389, 841, 848. To John
Winthrop, 888. To John Mason, 838.
Notice of, 326, n. Visit to England, 1661,
862.
Horse of Widow Ingersoll taken for the pub-
lic service, 149.
Horn, Gustavus, 465.
Howard, Thomas, Earl of Arundel. Return
from his embassy to Germany, 1686,
420.
Howes, Edward, 40<, n. Letters to John Win-
throp, jun., 467, 468, 469, 471, 472, 474,
477, 478, 479, 480, 483, 486, 487, 490, 498,
496. Notice of, 467, n. 612, n. Prefatory
Address to a Treatise on the North-west
Passage inscribed to John Winthrop, Jan.,
480, fi.
Hubbard, Benjamin, 219.
Humfrey, John, 28, 69, 102, 146, 147. Let-
ters to Isaac Johnson, 1, 9, 10, 12. To
Jolin Winthrop, 6, 10, 17. To John Win-
throp, jnn., 18. Notice of, 1, 11. Petition
in behalf of, by Hugh Peter, to the Gene-
ral Court of Massachusetts, 96.
Humfrey, Ladv Susan, 1, n.
Humming-bird, 40«.
Humphries, CoL, death of, 286.
Hutchinson, Mrs. Ann, 48, 166, 227.
Hutchinson, Capt Edward, 300, 802.
Hutchinson, Francis, 818, n.
Hutchinson, Gov. Thomas: Remarks on
Isaac Johnson*s will, 20, n.
I.
Impressment of arms, &c., in Salem, 160.
InJependents, controversy of Presbyterians
with, 383.
Indians, depredations of, near Salem, 1646,
160. Executed at Plymouth, 301. Hos-
tile attitude of the, 685. Murders by the,
370. Near Duxbury, 163. Peace made
with the, 1645, 874. Provision for the,
116. Religion of the, 225. War with
the, 581.
Indigo, culture and manufacture of, 81, 82,
150«.
Ingersoll, Widow, 149.
Inquisition in Spain, 40*.
" Ipswich, News from," by Prynne, 422-484.
Ipswich, Mass : Grant of Castle Hill to John
Winthrop, jun., 103. Intended sale of
Castle Hill to inhabitants of, 104.
Ireland, military operations in, 1649-50, 76.
Successes of *the Parliamentary forces in,
152, 279, 466.
Iron-works, 61, 80. 617, 618. At Provi-
dence, 290. To be built in Connecticut,
616.
J.
Jacie, Rev. Henry: Letters to John Win-
throp, 452, 466. To John Winthrop, jnn.,
464, 467, 469. Notice of, 462, n. Settled
in London, 460.
596
INDEX.
Jacob, Rer. Henry, 463, «i.
Jacquonto, Sachem of Block Iiland, 217,
218.
James I., King: His Book of Sporta required
by Laud to be obseired, 411.
James, CapL Thomas, voyage in search of
the Nortn-west Passage mentioned, 488.
James, Thomas, Providence, 248, 244.
Jenney, John, death of, 161.
Jessie, Rev. Henry. — See ** Jacie.*'
Jesuits in Canada, 481. Intrigaes of the, 149.
Jewel House of Art and Nature, by Sir H.
Piatt, mentioned, 474.
Jews, 291.
Job, William, 827.
John, Sagamore, 476.
Johnson, Abraham, 22, 26, 26.
Johnson, Lady Arbella, 1, fi., 20. Death of,
1, 82, a.
Johiifton, Isaac. 62, 678. Bill of exchange
on Emanuel Downing, 88. L etter to Ema-
nuel Downing, 29. To John Winthrop,
80. Will of, 20 April, 8 Oar. I., 20. 679.
Letter to, fVom G. B., 82. a. From Cicely
Chaderton, 28. From John Humfrey to,
1, 9, 10, 12.
Johnson, Philip, 28.
Johnson, Robert, 28, 28.
Johnson, Samuel, 28.
Jolliffe, John, 118, 119, 120, 122, 128, 124,
126, 216, 230.
Jones, Margaret, executed as a witch In
: •Boston, 68.
Jones, Thomas, 818.
Juanemo (Ninigret), 202, 208, 204, 218, 248.
Jury, trial b^, 882.
Juxon, William, Bishop of London, 461.
K.
Keayne, Capt Robert: Notice of his MS.
notes of sermons by Cotton, &c., 818, n.
Kieft, William, Governor of New Nether-
land, 266, 346. Demands the restoration
of a Dutch prize, and threatens reprisals,
267.
Kingsbury, H., 462, 453, 464.
Kirby, Mr., 471, 484.
Kirk, Sir David, successes of, in Canada,
672.
Knight, Robert: Letter to Thomas Milward,
673. Letter to, from Abraham Shurt, 678.
KnoJlys, Hansard, 103, 106.
L.
Lake, John, 116.
Lake, Mrs. Margaret, 69, 71, 76, 97, 114.
Lake, Thomas, 840.
Lake, , Governor of Nevis, 1646, 687,
688.
Lamberton, Capt. George, lost on his voyage
to England, 846.
Lamberton, Col., 81.
Lambeth Palace, 162.
Lancaster, settlement of, 1644, 876.
Lapthome, Mr., 98.
Larkham, Rev. Thomas, 107.
Latham, Carey, 836.
La Tour, Claude de St. Etienne, Sieur de,
618, 619.
Latour^Madame, 687.
Laud, William, Archbishop of Caoterbnrv,
42, 461.
Leader, Richard, 76. Engaged to take
charge of the iron-works, 61, 68.
Lectures suppressed in England^ 409, 418,
423, 426, 428, 440.
Leighton, Rev. Alexander, IL
Lenthall, William, Speaker of the Houm of
Commons. 294.
Leverett, Jonn, Governor of Maaaachusetts,
163. Letter to, from Roger Williams, 807.
Takes possession of a Dutch ship, 298.
Lewis, Mary, 874, 876.
*• Lion's Whelp," ship, 126.
Litany, when to be read, 486.
London, plague in, 1686, 120, 8S8, 408, 410,
448, 600, 602, 604.
Long Island, 604.
Lord, William, 820.
Lord*s Day, the Christian Sabbath, 89S-404.
Observance of the, 408.
Lothrop, Rev. John, 462, n., 460.
Ludlow, George, 206, 211, 212, 216, 222,
268, 266.
Ludlow. Roger, 196.
Luxford, James, 64, 66, 69, 187, 169, 609.
Lyon, Thomas, 868.
Lyon, Dr., 607.
M.
^'MacTocosmi mstoria,** by Bdbeit Fludd,
M.D., 484.
Magnetical alphabet, 610.
Magnetical instrument, to opente at a <Ua-
tance, 600, 609, 610.
Manhattan, surrender of, demanded, 527.
Manittuwond Island, 189.
Mauquawogs, 201, 204, 205. 207, 298.
Maquawogs. — See Mohawks.
Marl supposed to be discovered In New
England, 644.
Marriages, order for the solemniiation of,
487, 488.
Mary, daughter of King Charles L, 40«.
'* Maiy Rose," ship, blown up in Chariea-
town Harbor, 1640, 141.
Mason, Capt. John, 164, 260, 268, 271. Com-
mission respecting the Pequots at Na-
meag, 838. Letter from Edward Hopkixia
to, 838.
Masquanominit. 248.
Massachusetts Bay, Colony of. Dispute with
Rhode Island, 296. Question or jurisdic-
tion with Plymouth Colony, 281. Patent
of the, 460. Plantation of the, 8, 88, 89,
44, 881. Proceedings against, 182.
Massachusetta-Bay Company, 82.
Massachusetts troops arrive at Pequot Ri-
ver, 194.
Massy, Col., 77, 78.
Mathematical bchool, propoaal of Edward
Howes to establish a, 612.
Mattabesicke sachem, clahn to his land, 855.
Maumanadtuck, 192.
Mauquawogs, 80, 201, 204, 206, 207, 272,
29$. — See '* Mohawka."
INDEX.
597
♦I
Manmip. — See ** Oanonicns.
MazannOf 800, fi.
Mayhew, Thomad, 118, 119, 180, 122, 128,
124, 126, 127. 128, 216, 280.
Mazarine, Carainal. 80.
Meadows, Robert, 26, 26.
Meika, 800, n.
Meiksah (son of Canonicns), 215.
Meiksomp, 216.
** Meritorious Price of Man*s Redemption/*
by William Pynchon, burnt at Boston, 286,
869, fi.
Miantonomo, 189, 190, 192, 198, 198, 199,
200, 202, 204, 208, 209, 216, 217, 220, 221,
228, 224, 281, 241, 242, 248, 246, 248, 249,
261, 259, 268, 264, 265, 298, 856. Death
of, 266, n,
Milbum, Mr., 456, 457.
Milward, Thomas, 571, 578.
Miscellaneous letters, &c., 674.
Mizam, Narragansett sachem, 158.
** Model of Christian Charity," a sermon,
by Governor John Winthrop, mentioned,
296.
Mohawks, 30, 174, 176, 201, 204, 205, 207,
288, 272, 298, 809, 872. Incited to war
against Uncas, 858. League with the
Pequots, 289. Murder of Onopequen bv
the, 581. Narraeansetts in leame with
the, 1648, 857. Treaty of the Narragan-
setts with the, 159, 161.
Mohiganicks, 209, 210.
Monachunte Island (Aquedneck?), 157.
Monahiganeucks, 228.
Monashackotoogs, 194.
Monhegans, 266, 802. Attack by, on the
Pequots, 271.
Monster, 505. .
Moody, Lady Deborah, 40, 148.
Moon, the, supposed to be a habitable
world, 509. Eclipse of the, Oct 17, 1682,
457.
Moreton, Thomas, 127.
Morocco, treaty with, 94.
Morton, Thomas, 148, 175.
Moxon, Rev. George, 869, n., 872.
Mnnnawtawkit Island, 189.
N.
Nahant, salt-works at, 71.
Nahigonsik Indians, 800, 802. Expedition
to Warwick, 808. — See " Narragansetts.'*
Namoswhat, 877.
Nananawtunu, 298, 808, 808, 310.
Nanhiggonsicks. — See *' Narragansetts.**
Nantequitt, 818.
Narragansett Country, 515.
Narragansett Indians, 95, 164, 178, 191, 195,
198,199, 266, 281, 288, 818, 846, 847. Hos-
tility of the, 1648, 878. Conference with
the. at Warwick, 1654, 287. Incite the
Monawks, &c., to war against Unca^, 858,
In league with the Mohawks, 1648, 857.
Supplied with ammunition by the French,
809. Swamp Fight, December, 1674,
808. Treaty with the Mohawks, 169, 161.
War with the, 65, 160, 174.
Nayantaquit Indians, 218, 288, 264, 265.
Necawnimeyat, 282.
Kenekunat, 275, 277, 278, 287, 288, 290.
Kevis, Island of, 587, 588.
New Amsterdam, surrender of, demanded
by the commissioners, 527. Surrendered
to the English, Sept 8, 1664, 529, fi.
Newcastle, England, capture of, 1640, 148.
Plague in, 1686, 448. Sir Arthur Hasel-
rig appointed governor of, 542.
New England, calumnies against the plant-
ers of, 480, 486. Disaffection toward, in
England, 442. Snow in, March, 1658,
523.
New Haven, Colony of, 857. Claimed by
the Government of New Netherhind, 846.
Loss of Capt Lamberton's ship, 846.
New London, Conn., called ** London,** 112.
Newman, Robert, 851, 852.
Newman, Rev. Samuel, 277.
Newport, R.I., messengers to, appointed by
the church at Boston, 312, 815.
" News from Ipswich,** by Prynne, 419, 422-
484, 446,46L
Newton, Mr., 282.
Nicoils, Col. Richard, 527, 629.
Nincunnet requests leave to hunt in the
Pequot Country, 858.
Ninicraft, a Narragansett sachem, 158, 800,
an.
Ninigret (Juanemo), 202, 203, 204, 887.
Complaint of Wequashouck against, 841,
842. — See ** Juanemo.**
Nipmucks, 198, 204. Battle with the Wun-
nashowatuckoogs, 197.
Nippmmsint, 872.
Norris. Rev. Edward, 74, 147.
" North Sea Boat,'* the »* Bachelor,** arrives
from England 1685, 825-828.
North-west Passage, 480.
Norton, Rev. John, 72, 80, 869, n. Sucoeeda
John Coiton, 155.
Norwich, England, plague in. 1636, 429.
Diocese of, ministers silencea in the, 429.
Orders, directions. &c., given upon the
visitation of Matthew Wren, Bishop of,
1636, 485. Visitation of Bishop Wren,
407. '
Nova Scotia, D*Aulney takes possession of.
518, 519. '
Nowell, Increase, 517. Grant of land at
Mystic, 128. Resigns the office of rulinff
elder, 185. *
Noy, Edward, killed in a duel by Capt By-
ron, 419. ^
Noy, William, attorney-general, 461. His
persecution of Prynne, 414-417. His sick-
ness and death, 416-419, 447. Extract
from his will, 418, 419, n.
Nyanticks, 346, 847.
Ny[e], Mr., 880.
Nye, Rev. Philip, 492.
0.
Oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth.
152.
Okace, Mohegan sachem, 207, 208, 209, 210,
216, 216, 222, 228, 224, 227, 280, 281, 246,
246,262,318. '
Olcott, Thomas, 879, 880.
Old age, renewal of strength in, 580.
598
INDEX.
" Old Queen (The)," 800.
Oldham, John, murder of, 208, 814, 264. |
Old way (Necawnimeyat), 282.
Oliver, John, 318, n.
Onkas. — See ** Uncas.**
Onopequen killed bj the Mohawks, 681.
Ordnance, instrument for determining the
proper charge for, &c., 479. For the Mas-
saonusetts Colony, 80, 82. Joist Weillust,
sarveyorof, for t&e Massachusetts Colony,
40«.
Otely, Adam, 147.
Ousamequin, 249.
P.
Paddy, William, 105, 166, 169, 820, 821.
Paine, Robert, 110, 117.
Painter, Rev. Henry, 40, 40/".
Pametesick, 230, 231.
Panaquanike captives, 866.
Papists in England, 160. Expected rising
of, 1636, 92.
Parker, Sir Philip, 548.
Parliament, 282. Dissolution of. 1654, 289.
Divisions in, 541. Interview or Cromwell
with the, 294. Meeting of, 1639, 129.
April, 1640, 548. 1654,292. Proceedings
in, 84, 85, 878, 465.
Patent of Massachusetts revoked, 1636,
450.
Patrick, Capt Daniel, 198, 196, 208, 282,
867. Death of, 174.
Paucomtuck Indians, outrages by the, 288.
Paupaaquivwut, 308.
Pawkedtucket Indians, 841.
Payne, William, 895.
Peace made with the Indians, 1645, 374.
Peirce, Capt. William, 5, 9, 12, 89, 41, 46,
97, 98, 119, 122, 123, 125, 126, 127, 128.
Penn, Admiral, expedition to Hispaniola,
289, 293, 294.
Penobscot, capture of, by Sedgwick, 1654,
83. French at, 1636, 570.
People's Plea for the Exercise of Prophecy
mentioned, 171.
Pequit Plantation. — See " Pequoit."
Peguoit Plantation, 188, 617, 618. To be
called London, 112, 340.
Pequot captives, 95, 195, 201, 213, 214, 218,
224, 225, 227, 241, 261, 262, 263. Fort, at-
tack on the, May 26, 1637, 191, 192, 193.
Towns, 251. War, 48, 254.
Pequots, 164, 204, 205, 207, 208, 210, 222,
224, 227, 231, 246, 247, 251, 259, 260,
582. Attack on the, by the Monhiggons,
271. Expedition aeainnt the, 189, 190.
At Naroeag, 341. rlnced under subjec-
tion to Uncas, 337. Given to Nincunnet,
358. Incarsion of, upon Watertown, Ct,
1637, 388. League with the Mohawks,
239. With the Nayantaquits, 238. PloU
of the, 520. Scarcitv of provisions among
the, 189. Submiss'ion of the, 200, 201.
War with the, 188, 189, 197, 888, 389.
Peter, Mrs. Elizabeth, 42, 45.
Peter, Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh Peter,
116.
Peter, Bev. Hugh, 81, 50, 51, 76, 79, 80, 81,
181, 144, 147, 165, 171, 206, 286, 516.
Colonel of a regiment m Ireland, 153.
Illness of, 1688, 184. Intonded mission to
England, 188, 145. Letter to Rev. Patrick
Copeland, 98; to Charles Gott, 116; to
John Winthrop, 92, 96, 97, 99, 100, 101,
102, 108, 104, 106, 107, 108, 109; to John
Winthrop, jun., 91, 98. 94, 97, 106, 109, 111,
112, 118, 114, 116 ; and Eoianuel Downing.
Letter to John Winthrojx 90. Notice <»,
91, ft. Petition to the General Court of
Massachusetts, in behalf of John Hum-
frey, 96. Letter from Emanuel Downing
to, 68.
Peter, Rev. Thomas, 871, 682. Letter from
John Winthrop, jun., to, 610.
** Peter Bonadventure," ship, anrivai of,
from London, 1686, 881, 882.
Peters, Mr., 821.
Pevton Hall, Suffolk, 667.
"Phantom Ship,'* seen at New Haven,
846, n.
Philip, Sachem, 298, 809, 810.
Philip IV., King of Spain, 40^.
** Philip," ship, arrival of, from London,
831
Philip's War; 800, 801, 804, 805.
Pinchon. — See *' Pyoohon.'*
Piscataqua, 108.
Plague in London, 1680, 471. In 1686, 120,
333, 408, 410, 428, 425, 426, 429, 448, 600,
602, 504.
Plague and famine in Germanv, 1686, 500.
Plague in Boxford, Suffolk, 1W7, 664.
Piatt, Sir Hugh, notice of, 474, «i. Inven-
tions of, 491, 492, 498.
Plum Island, 190.
Plymouth, Colonv of. Agreement of Ma»-
sachusetts ana Rhode IsUnd with, in
Philip's War, 801. Bond to Massachu-
setts. 176. Claim of jurisdiction over
Rhode Island, 281. Election, 1646, 178.
Proceeding against, 1646, 1^
Plymouth, sickness at, 1644, 161.
Pocock, Mrs., 111.
Popery, innovations in favor of, in En^and,
424 427 429.
Port ^val, N.S., 618. Capture of, by Major
Sedgwick, 1654, 88.
Post, , 275.
Prague, reception of the Earl of Arundel at,
1636, 420.
Presbyterianism and Independency, 888.
Printing in Cambridge, 1688-89, 9^, 876, n.
Prisoners, Pequot, enslaved, 195, 201, 218,
214, 218, 224. 225, 227, 241, 261, 262, 268.
Prize- vessel, claimed by the Governor of
New Netheriand, 267. Taken by Blaa-
velt, 272, 274.
** Projector (A) lately dead.'* A comedy
wntten on the death of Attomey-Generiil
Nov, 418.
Providence, R.I. Agreement of the inha-
bitants of, 187. Bridge at, 290. Settle-
ment of, 186, 187.
Prudence island, purchase of. 217, 220.
Prvnne, William, 406, 460. Publishes CerUin
Questions propounded to Archbishops,
Bishops, Archdeacons, and Commissaries.
&c., 418. Certain queries propounded
to the Bowers to the Names of Jesu9,
IKDEX.
599
&c., 418. The Unblshopping of Timothy
and Titus, 414. A Diyine Tragedy lately
acted, or a collection of sundry memora-
ble examples of God's judgments upon
sabbath-breakers, 414, 446. News from
Ipswich, 419. Sentenced by the Starcham-
ber Court to be branded and set in the
piUory, &c., 416. Execution of the sen-
tence, 416, 462, 468.
Pumhom, 800.
Puppompogs, 261.
Puttaquomscut, attack of the Indians on,
1676. 808.
Pym, William, 666, 682, n.
Pynchon, John, 629. Marriage of, to Amy
Wyllys, 376.
Pvnchon, William, 279. Letters to John
'Winthrop, 872, 874, 876, 878, 881. To
John Winthrop, jun., 869, 871. To Ste-
phen Day, 876. "Meritorious Price of
Man's ffedemption," 286. Notice of,
869, «.
Q-
Quaiapen, the " Old Queen " of the Narra-
gansetto. 800.
Quaquackis, 808, 810.
Quassink, black-lead near, 877.
Quaunoucku, 800.
Quawnipund, 800.
Quo Warranto against the patent of Massa-
diusetts, 68.
R.
Rabbits sent to New England, 494.
Rainsborough, Judith, 109, n.
Rainsborough, Col., 109. Assassination of,
109, n., 842.
Ratcliffe, Sir George, Blaster of the Rolls in
Ireland, 40«.
Ratcliffe Free School, London, 612.
Rats in Germany, 1636, 46.
Reade, Dr. Samuel, 604.
Reade, Col. Thomas, 84, 86, 107, 116, 181.
** Rebecca," ship, 124.
Reprive, 216, 217, 218, 220, 232.
Revocation, John Winthrop* s deed of, 677.
Reynolds, Major, Governor of Santa Cruz,
688.
Rh^, Isle of, expedition to the, 1627, 891, n.
Rhode Island, Colony of, 167, 296. Claim of
Plymouth Colony to jurisdiction over, 281.
Dissensions in the, 289. Dispute with
Massachusetts Bay, 296. Message from
the Governor and Council of, to Canoni-
CU8, 803.
Rich, Sir Nathaniel, 126, 682, n.
Richmond Island, royalists at, 148.
Rigby, , 176, 290.
Roberts, Thomas, 198.
Robin (Pequot Indian), 232. — See ** Causa-
senamot."
Robinson, Rev. John, 206.
Rogation-days, order of service for, 436,
487.
Rogers, Rev. Ezekiel, 76. Settlement of
Rowley, 61.
Rogers, Rev. John, of Dedham, Essex,
death and funeral of, 47, 412, 418.
Rogers, Rev. Nathaniel, 467, 646. Embarks
lor New Eneland, 660.
Rogers, Mrs. oarah (wife of Rev. Ezekiel),
death of, 76.
Root, Rev. , 81.
Root, Thomas, affidavit of, 896, 896.
Rosicrucians, 607.
Rowlev, settlement of, 61.
Royalfsts at Richmond Island, 148.
Rupert, Prince, 76, 81, 281. Surrender of
Bristol to, 866, n.
Ryece, Robert, 660. Letters to John Win-
throp, 891, 892, 894, 897. (Signed Law-
rence Browne), 898. (Signed Thomas
Smythe, A, B, C), 410, 422, 486. NoUce
of, 891, n.
S.
S. L. : Epigram, bv Prynne, on the two let-
ters branded on nis cheeks, 462, n.
Sa, Dom Pantaleon, executed for the mur-
der of Mr. Green way, in London, 1664,
298, 294.
Snbaudie, 289.
Sabbatarians, 398-404.
Sabbath, defence of the, 422. Observance
of the, 398-404. Profanation of the, 428.
Recreations to be used on the, 46.
Sabbath-breakers, God's judgment upon,
414.
Sachem's harbor, 614.
St. Christopher's, Island of, 687, 688.
St. Etienne, Claude de, Sieur de La Tour,
618, 619.
St. John's, capture of, by Sedgwick, 1664,
83.
Salem, destruction of ship-timber in, 90,
143. Health of, December, 1688, 60. Im-
pressment in, 1646, 160. Settlement of,
62.
Sallee, capture of, 1687, 94.
Salt-works in Connecticut, 866. At Na-
hant, 71.
Saltonstall, Mrs. Meriall, 669.
Saltonstall. Sir Richard, 41, 672, 494. Let-
ter to Jonn Winthrop, jun., 679. Notice
of, 679, n.
Saltonstall, Richard, jun., 482, 661, 668, 664.
Marries Merial Gurdon, 490.
Saltonstall, Robert, 867, 494. Vt, Abraham
Shurt, 110.
Sandbrooke, John, 489, 491.
Samford, John, 479, 482.
Sanhopp, 884.
Santa Cruz, Island of, 687, 688. French
and Dutch driven from, 688.
Sasacus, 192, 193, 194, 196, 197, 199, 201,
204, 207.
Sassawwaw, slain by Wequash, 197, 198.
Savery, Thomas, charges against, 816.
Savill, John, 88.
Say and Sele, William, Viscount, 24, 32«,
n., 49, 139, 666.
Scitunte, settlement of Rev. Charles Chaun-
cy at, 169.
600
INDEX.
Scot, John, 804. ^ .,. « «
Scotland, commissionere from the rarlui-
ament to, 862. Leagae and coTcnant in,
48. Supplies refused for war against,
665.
Scraggs, Thomas, 66, 182.
Seal used hj John Endecott, 160*, it.
Seals, fac-similes of, 687.
Secret writing, used by Edward Howes, 469.
Archisden's alphabet for, 481.
Sedgwick, Major: Expedition against the
French, 1664, 88.
Seekonk. Baptists at, 274, 277.
Selden, John, imprisonment of, 86.
Seneca Indians: League with uie tt
681.
Sermons prohibited on Fast-days, 426.
Separatists, 444.
Sewall, Henry, 498.
Shaw Sheen (Billerica), 121, 128.
Sheep sold by William Coddiugton, 1647,
320 321*
Sheffield, Mrs. Deliverance (afterwards the
second wife of Hugh Peter), 100, 101,
113.
Shetland Islands, Spanish invasion of the, 88.
Ship-timber, destruction of, in Salem, 90,
148.
Shippon, Major, 842.
Showatucks. — See " Wunnashowatuck-
I Mohawks,
oogs
♦»
Shropshire, visit of King Charles I. to, m
1636, 410, 411.
Shurt, Abraham, 110. Letter to Robert
Knight, 678. Letters to John Winthrop,
670, 671, 672. Notice of, 670, n.
Sibbs, Rev. Richard, D.D. : Bruised Reed, 4.
Sickness at Plymouth, 1644, 161.
Signatures and seals, fac-similes of, 687.
Silver ore in New England, 64, 116.
Skinner, Mr., 661. ^ ^
Slave-trade in the West Indies, 1646, 687,
689.
Slavery, Pcquot prisoners condemned to,
196, 214, 218.
Slaves in New England, 66.
Small-pox prevalent in England, 448.
Smith, Richard, 268, 269, 270, 276, 286, «.,
288, 296. 297, 299, 300, 809. Intends a voy-
age to England, 302.
Smythc, Thomas, A, B, C (Robert Byece
to John Winthrop), 410, 422, 486.
Snow in New England, 29th November,
1634,181. January, 1687-8, 221. 1649-60,
76. March, 1653,*628. ^
Sofford, Mr., 466.
Sossiman, John, 800.
Spain, recapture of Dunkirk by, 79. Peace
with, 1630, 11, 16, 82«.
Sports, Book of, required to be observed,
411.
Spring, John. 652, 653, 554, 656, 667, 668.
Spring, Sir William. Knt., 550, 660, 664.
Letters to John Winthrop, 651, 664, 666.
Notice of, 551, fi.
Stagg, Captain, takes a Bristol ship in Bos-
ton Haroor, 587.
Stansby, Rev. Mr., 407. Deprived, 668.
Stanton, Thomas, 208, 216, 222, 224, 246,
261, 268, 264, 279, 857, 583. Interpreter
at the meeting of the commissioners in
Boston, 335, 847.
Steele, Sir Richard: Statement in the " Tat-
ler** respecting Edward Noy, 419, «.
Steggs, Thomas, 124.
StiMML Francis, 680, 68L AgreeoMnt with
B. Saltonstail, 868.
Stirling, WiUiam, Earl oC— See *< Alexan-
der, WUliam."
StoUyon, Abraham, 851, 851.
Stollyon, Mrs., 850. Will, 1646, 851.
Stoughton, Captain Israel, 166, 194, 198,
208, 208, 209, 216.
^ Stumbling Stone (The)," by Winiam Dell.
291, f».
StuyvesanL Peter, Director-(aeDeral of
New Netheriand, 164, 622, n. Letters to
John Wmthrop, jun., 688, 634. Letter
from John Winthrop, jun., to, 621, 622,
528, 624, 626, 627. Notice of, 688, n.
** Suncke Squaw,** the, 800.
Swansea, Indian mnrdera at, 1676, 802,
804.
Sweden, Gnstavus Adolphos, King of. —
See *'Gustavus Adolphus.**
Swedes, invasion of Denmark by the, 1667-8,
85. Invasion of Saxony by the, 46.
Symonds, Samuel, 288.
T.
Ta-mng-gut, 376, 877.
Tantonimo, 889.
^ Tatler," statement hi the, rejecting Ed-
ward Noy, 419, fi.
Tattaopame, 278.
Tatuphosuit, 298.
Tausaquonawhut (Peauot sachem), S78.
Taylor, Rev. Dr., deaui of, 467.
Temple, rebuilding of chamb^v in the In-
ner, 1688, 488.
Thomas, Prince of Spain: Snocessee in Pi-
eardy, 602.
"Thomas and William,** ship, 470.
Thornton, Sir Roger, letter fttxn Walter
Clopton to, 575.
Throckmorton, John, 198, 221, 240, 168, 277,
279,280,281,321.
Tift, Joshua, 307. Execution of, 1676, 811.
Tilly, Jamets 846.
Tilly, John Tzerclaes, Count of, 466. luTa-
sion of Denmark by, 88.
Tindal, Deane, 40/*, «.. 666.
Titicut, description or, 614.
Tower Hill, South Kingston, R.I., attack of
the Indians on, 1676, 808.
Trask, Captain William, 194.
Treaty: With the Indians, 1646. 266, 847. Of
Munster, 1648, 278, «. Of Westminster,
1664, between Great Britain and the Statee
General, 296, «.
Tredath, capture of, by CromwelL 76.
"Trial (The) of Spirits,*' by WuSam Dell,
burnt at Boston, 1664, 291.
" True Love,*' ship, arrival of the, firom Lon-
don, 1685, 829-^1.
Tucker, Mr., 126.
Turkey, disturbances in, 1682, 466.
Turner, Daniel, 878.
Tyng, Edward, arrested by Gorton, 880.
Tzerclaes, John, Count of Tilly, 88, 466.
u.
" Ullbi*bopplnF! (The) of TimoUiT kad Ti-
tm," by Prynne, 114.
Uncai, in, 2aO, 383, 350, 361, Z6T, 383, 306,
3W, IL, aax. 2S9, 2T1, 278, 383, 3ST, 3»S,
800 SOI, sas, £87, 873. Alleged alUmpt
of CnllaqniiiCo murder,343. Empovsred
by the commiuioaBn to redace the Pe-
qaols at Nameag to subjectioo, 838. Nar-
ragaoMttB incite the Hobavlu lo w>r
■guast, 868.
DDireThlll, CspCaIn John, 1S8, 174.
United Colonies of New Kpglend, 1T3. Pro-
ceedipgs of tbe cammiHloaen of the,
«, 886. Eilabliihment of Ibe Confede-
of the, 890.
racy of the, 890.
Upuf, NichoLu, 228.
Vene, Sir Henry, Govanior of Massschn-
Mtti, 48 130, 127, 227, 128, 280. Letter to
Joba Wmthrap,jun.,683. Poatscript to ■
letter of John Usynes to John WInlhrap,
S«4. Letter from Koger Williama to, 18B.
Notice of, &82. n.
Vnrlet, Micholu, &26, GS«.
Venn, Philip, 346.
Verin, , 246.
Vincent, Tbomaa, deed to, from Emanual
le&l, 888.
ViiiuUon of Matthew Wren, Bishop of
Norwioh, lase, 407, 411, 413.
Wnkelio, Mr., prosecuted by the Star Cbun-
ber, 461.
Wiiker, Jamet, 180.
Walker, William, 26, 26.
Waller, GriJHth, 88.
Wampum, 633.
War, dBclaraiion oil by Uolland againtt
Kngland, TB, 81. With the Indiana, 378.
Afpiinst the NarraiiaTisetto, &c., 1849, 373,
378, 383, 284. Philip's, 300, 801, 304,
Ward,' Rev. Samael, 432, MB.
Ware, Sir James, death of, 1633, 40*.
Ware, Sir James [ jun-t, " Works concern-
ragansett Indians at, 287. Expedition of
the NahigitoniickB to, 303, SU8. Affray
Willi the Indians at. 276.
WalBrhoiiJB, Jacob, 861.
WHlerraan, RnbBrt, 1S8.
Watertown { Wethersfield), Conn., 870. At-
tack upon, by Pequots, 1637, 388.
Watertown, Mass., settlement of, 88.
Wanphanck, 207.
Webb, Krancis, 680.
Weeoktunin, 243.
Weld, Ber. Thomas, 11, 68, 60, 472.
Welles, Thomas, Governor of Connecticut:
Letter to .lobn Winthmp, 688. To John
Winthrop, Jan., 684. Motice of, 683, a.
Weqnash, a Pequot Indian, 188, 190, 181,
1B7, IflS, 203, 21B, 228, 227, 34a, 243, 384.
Wequasbcook (Navantaquil sachem), 158,
308, 216, 231 384, b., 272, 276, 378, 834.
Complaint of, aEainsC Ninigret, 841, 342.
West Indies, Sir George Downing' s visit to
the, 1648, 637-6B9. Emigration (o the,
encouraged by Cromwell, 291. Proposed
emigration from New England (o the, 116.
139, 140.
Wethersfield (Watertown), Conn., invaded
by Pequots, 1637, 368.
Wexford, capture of, bv Cromwell, 76.
Wheelwright, Rev. Jofin, 48. Banishment
White, Mr., 200, 282.
Whilefleld Hov. Henry, 386.
Whiting, William, commissioner for Hart-
ford, 1647, 386.
WiBgin, Thomas, 8.
Witkini, John, Bishop of ChetUr, 609.
" William and John," ship, 833.
Williami, John, Bishop of Lincoln: His let-
ter lo the Vicar of Gruir
Williams, Mary, 274.
Willlanu, Rev. Roger, 108. 163, 16T, 446.
Date of birth of, 186, n. Letter to Rich-
ard Colllentt, 211. Letter to John Le-
verett, SOT. Letter to Sir Henry Vaneor
John Winthmp, 189. Letters to John
Winthrap, 184, 188, 1811, 101, 194, 196,
197, 108, 302, 303, 305. 207, 313, 214, 217,
330, 321. 2-J3, 226, 229, 230, 231, 233, 389,
241, 244, ■241). -i4!^, 2611, 262,264,266,267,
^-V, Ml, »;;!, iii^j, -Xiu Letters to John
U'i„il,r"p, iiiii.. -«, a68, 271, 272, 273,
2711.277, a:!<,'JM,'J'-'J, 384, 286,292,294,
iii-v'l.i It, (.■"ili.-iii. ^11. Notice of, 184. B.
Ke'llgious aninioiis of, 233-288. letters
from John Winthrop, iun., to, 306, 639.
Note from John Eldarkm to, 279, n.
Willis, Samuel, 628.
Wilson, Rev. John, 106, 172. Grant ofland
at Mystic, 128.
Winslow, Edward, Governor of Mew Plv-
moutli, 249. Letter* to .lohn Winthrop,
188, 184, 106, 168, 168, 171, 173, 174, 178,
177, 178, 181. Letter to John Winthrop,
jun., 163. Commissioner to attend the
expedition agnlnst Hispaninln, 289, 393,
294. Death of, 289, B. Notice of, 102, ».
Winter, scveritv of the, 1610-60, 163.
Winthrop, Adam, 172. Death of. 70.
Winthrop, Mr«. Elizabeth. 106. Ill, 116,
299. Letter from Roger Williams to. 270.
Winthrop, Elizabeth, daughter of John Win-
throp, jun., 106.
Winthrop, Fiti John, Governor of Cnnnecti-
ciil. 301, 628. Letters from tmauuel
Downing to, (4, M, (.J.
602
INDEX.
Winthrop, Forth, 674.
Winthrop, Henry, 470.
Winthrop, John, UoTemor of Massachusetts,
80, 137. Amemeot at Cambridge to
embark for New England, 892, 398, n.
Answer of the General Coart to the peti-
tion of Hugh Peter in behalf of John
Humfrey, 96. Bill of exchange on
Emanuel Downing, 87. Embarks for
New England, 470, 676. Memorandum
relating to the boundary between Massa-
chusetts and Plymouth Colony, 167.
"Model of Christian Charitv,»' 296, fi.
Sickness of, 1638, 188, 184, 244. Sick-
ness and death of, 74, 161. 842, 869.
Letters to, from John Humnrey, 6, 10,
17. From Isaac Johnson, 80. From
Emanuel Downing, 88, 84, 86, 87, 89,
46, 48, 49, 60, 61, 62, 68, 64, 66, 64. 66,
67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73. From Hugh Peter
and Emanuel Downing, 90. From Hugh
Peter, 92. 96, 97, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103,
104, 106, 107, 108, 109. From Matthew
Cradock, 118, 122, 126, 128. From John
Endecott, 132, 133, 134, 186, 136, 138, 141,
143, 144, 145, 146, 148, 149, 150. From
William Bradford, 156, 168, 169. 160.
From Edward Winslow, 163, 164, 165, 168,
109, 171, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 181.
From Roger Williami*, 184, 186, 189, 191,
194, 195, 197, 198, 202, 203, 205, 207, 212,
214, 217, 220, 221, 223, 226, 229, 230, 281,
283, 239, 241, 244, 246, 248, 260, 262, 264,
266, 257, 259, 261, 263, 265, 266. From
William Coddington, 312, 316, 318. Trom
Edward Hopkins, 333. From Theophilus
Eaton, 344, 345, 347, 850. From John
Haynefi, 354, 368, 359, 361. From George
Fenwick, 865, 367. From William Pyn-
chon, 872. 374, 375, 378, 381. From tho-
mas Hooker, 388, 389. From Robert
Ryece, 891, 392, 394, 397. (Signed Law-
rence Browne), 898. (Signed Thomas
Smythe), 410, 422, 436. Anonymous let-
ter to, 442. From Henry Jaci'e, 462, 465.
From John Winthrop, jun., 514. From
Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston, 546, 647, 649.
From Sir William Spring, 561, 554, 655.
From Brampton Gurdon, 669, 661, 665,
667, 568. From Abraham Shurt, 570, 571,
672. Acquittance from Sir Henry Apple-
ton to, 574. Letter to, from Walter Clop-
ton, 576. From Miles Corbett, 676. From
William Ames, 576. From John Bra-
dinge, 677, 578. From Thomas Welles,
583.
Winthrop, John, jun., Governor of Connec-
ticut, 105, 117, 172, 183, 337, 467, n.
Castle Hill granted to, by the town of
Ipswich, 103. Letters to Hoger Williams,
306, 529. To Governor Wi nthrop of Massa-
chusetts, 514. To Lord Forbes, 618. To
Thomas Peter, 519. To Peter Stuyve-
sant, 521, 522, 523, 524, 526, 527. To Sir
George Downing, 624. And others, agree-
ment with Nicholas Bond, 616. Petition to
the General Court of Massachusetts, 617.
Letters to, from John Hamfrey, 18. From
Emanuel Downing, 36, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44,
69, 62, 68, 68, 69, 71, 74, 76, 76, 77, 78, 79,
80, 81, 88, 86. Bond from Emanuel
Downing to, 89. Letters to, from Hugh
Peter, 91, 98, 94, 97, 106,109,111, 112, 113,
114, 116. From John Endecott, 131, 162,
163, 164. From Edward Winslow, 162.
From Roger Williams, 267, 268, 271, 272,
278, 276, 277, 279, 281, 283, 284, 286, 292,
294, 296, 297, 299, 302, 806. From Wil-
liam Coddington, 819, 820. From Edward
Hopkins, 826, 829, 881, 882, 884, 886, 836,
887, 889, 841, 848. From Theophilas
Eaton, 848, 868. From John Haynes, 855,
856. From Sir Arthur Haseirig and
George Fenwick, 864. From George
Fenwick, 864, 866. From William Pyn-
chon, 369, 371. From Thomas Hooker,
887. From Henry Jacie, 464, 467, 45i^.
From Edward Howes, 467, 468, 469, 471,
472, 474, 477, 478, 479, 480, 488, 485, 487,
490, 493, 496. From Peter Stnyvesant,
638, 684. From Sir George Downing, 636,
640, 648. From Sir Nathaniel Barnardis-
ton, 546. From Sir Richard Saltonstall,
579. From Sir Henry Vane, 681. From
Thomas Welles, 684. Prefatory address
inscribed to, by Edward Howes, in a
treatise on the mrth-west Passage, 480, n.
Notice of, 614, n. Receipt for making
indigo, 82. Serves in the expedition to
the Isle of Rh^, 391, n. Death of, April
6, 1676, 307, n.
Winthrop, John, F.R.S., note by, 299.
Winthrop, Mrs. Marfl:aret, 40.
Winthrop, Samuel, baptism of, 801, n.
Winthrop, Colonel Stephen, 49, 60, 86, 108,
109, 110, 112, 114, 116, 163, 172, 286, 617.
Witchcraft, Margaret Jones executed for, in
Boston, 1648, 68.
Wocase. — See " Okace."
Wolves, method of destroying, 498.
Wood, John, 366.
Worcester, battle of, 77, 78.
Wren, Matthew, Bishop of Norwich, 429,
431, 461, 663, 666. Orders, directions, and
remembrances given upon his Tisitatlon,
1686, 436. Visitation of, in 1686, 407, 411,
412.
Wunnashowatuckoogs, 188, 198, 194, 197,
201, 204. 207, 297, 298.
Wusquownananawkits, 188.
WutUttauquegin, 264, 368.
Y.
Yanpnck, 267.
Yoteash, 209, 241, 942.
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